Profile

For more than 30 years since joining Okabe Law Office (now Okabe & Yamaguchi) in 1990, I have handled a wide range of international maritime matters in Japan and abroad, from casualties such as ship collisions to disputes relating to contracts of carriage and charterparty, import and export trade and international transactions. In particular, I have extensive experience in the provisional seizure of vessels, foreclosure and auction proceedings and the execution of mortgages, which are important for the recovery of debts.

Career

Mar. 1974	Graduated from Waseda University (Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Department of Political Science)
Mar.1990	Completed Legal Training and Research Institute, registered as a lawyer (Tokyo Bar Association) (42nd term)
Apr. 1990	Joined Okabe Law Office (now Okabe & Yamaguchi)
1993	Practical training at law firms in London (Hill Taylor Dickinson / Clyde & Co) and the U.S. (LeGros Buchanan & Paul)
Jan. 1996	Appointed Partner, Okabe & Yamaguchi

Member Organizations

Association of Average Adjusters of Japan

Position/Qualifications

Arbitrator of The Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc., Marine Counselor

Field of expertise

Dispute resolution concerning bills of lading and charterparty (including litigation and arbitration proceedings), civil enforcement proceedings for debt recovery in Japan and abroad (including arrest and release of ships), general civil disputes and related court proceedings

Handling experience

• Ship arrest proceedings (cargo damage, collision claims, bunker oil supply claims, seafarers' wages claims and others)
• Auction cases based on ship mortgages
• Cases claiming compensation for damages to transport (sea and air) cargo
• Time charterparty dispute arbitration cases
• Claims for damages involved in ship collision (property damage, personal injury)