Chie Kasahara is a senior partner at Atsumi & Sakai, based in Tokyo, where she has built a distinguished career in intellectual property (IP) and technology law with a strong emphasis on cross-border matters. Kasahara began her legal career at Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices, where she practiced from 2000 to 2006, gaining substantial experience in IP, IT, and commercial matters in both Japan and abroad. This early phase laid the foundation for a global approach to IP strategy, licensing, and related regulatory considerations.
Throughout her tenure at Atsumi & Sakai, Kasahara has led matters involving complex IP portfolios, data protection and privacy compliance, entertainment and media law, and cross-border transactions. Her practice encompasses advising both Japanese and multinational clients on trademark, copyright, and patent issues, as well as navigating regulatory frameworks for IT, digital media, and telecommunications. Her experience in cross-border environments—garnered from time at a major U.S. law firm and subsequent leadership within a premier Japanese firm—has informed a practice that prioritizes strategic IP protection, licensing negotiations, and risk management in global markets.
Kasahara’s experience also includes engagement with a broad spectrum of clients in technology and information-intensive industries, such as software development, broadcasting, advertising, and consumer electronics. Her responsibilities at Atsumi & Sakai extend to counseling on data protection and privacy matters, including compliance programs for multinational operations, cross-border data transfers, and regulatory considerations in advertising and digital services. She has been involved in advising on licensing agreements, distribution contracts, and brand protection, as well as handling complex disputes and enforcement actions related to IP rights.
Her professional network reflects a commitment to the development of IP and entertainment law in Japan. Kasahara serves as a director of the Entertainment Lawyers Network and maintains active involvement with IP Lawyers Network Japan, as well as engagement with broader cross-border commercial groups. Her publication activity further demonstrates an ongoing contribution to the legal discourse surrounding IP, data protection, corporate law, and cross-border commercial practice.
Kasahara’s profile highlights a career marked by international exposure, leadership in specialized practice groups, and a consistent focus on protecting and monetizing intellectual property in dynamic technology-driven sectors. Her work at Atsumi & Sakai continues to position her at the intersection of IP strategy, digital economy considerations, and complex regulatory concerns in Japan and beyond.
Kasahara’s practice centers on Intellectual Property and Information Technology, with deep involvement in Data Protection, Entertainment and Media, and Cross-Border Commercial Transactions. In addition to IP, Kasahara provides counsel on Corporate Law matters relevant to technology-enabled businesses. Her work demonstrates a blend of patent, trademark, and copyright matters with licensing, data privacy, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Within the technology, media, and retail landscapes, Kasahara focuses on protecting brand assets, managing IP portfolios, and navigating cross-border licensing and distribution. She has advised on telecommunications, software development and licensing, and digital media ventures, including matters touching on TV production, advertising, and entertainment rights. Kasahara’s practice also encompasses data protection and privacy issues for multinational clients operating in Japan, including compliance structuring, data transfer considerations, and regulatory interactions.
Industries and domains frequently associated with Kasahara’s work include technology, media, advertising, software, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. Her cross-border experience informs strategic IP protection and enforcement approaches for clients seeking to optimize value from IP assets while managing regulatory risk in Japan and abroad. Her focus on entertainment and media reflects involvement in rights management, content licensing, and related contractual frameworks essential to modern digital ecosystems.
In terms of case types, Kasahara handles trademark disputes and brand protection, copyright enforcement and licensing, software licensing arrangements, data protection and privacy compliance, and contractual work relating to licensing and distribution. Her practice supports the full lifecycle of IP-driven transactions—from strategy and clearance to enforcement and dispute resolution—across Japan and international markets.
Kasahara holds a strong academic foundation from Hokkaido University. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1993, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Hokkaido University School of Law in 1996. Kasahara completed the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan as part of her formal legal training, equipping her with the rigorous procedural and practical education required for complex IP and cross-border matters.
Chie Kasahara specializes in Intellectual Property and Information Technology law, with a focus on Data Protection, Entertainment & Media, and Cross-Border Commercial Transactions.
She was recognized as one of Asia’s Top 15 Female Lawyers in 2025, received recognition from Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) IP Stars in 2021, and has been listed as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 Asia Pacific for multiple years in Intellectual Property and TMT. She was also recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan for Media and Entertainment Law (2025 and 2026), Information Technology Law (2023 and 2025), and for excellence in IT law (2020).
Kasahara has extensive experience advising on cross-border transactions, licensing negotiations, and regulatory frameworks, gained from her work in Japan, the U.S., and international markets, helping clients protect and monetize their IP assets globally.
She frequently works with clients in technology, media, advertising, software, telecommunications, and consumer electronics industries.
She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Hokkaido University and completed her formal legal training at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan.
She directs the IP/IT and Entertainment & Media teams, and she also serves as a director of the Entertainment Lawyers Network in Japan.
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