I graduated from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Tokyo University of Science and joined the Japan Patent Office (JPO) in 1990. After serving in various positions, I retired in 2025 as Director-General of the Trial and Appeal Department. At the JPO, I mainly worked on examinations, trials, and appeals in the life sciences and organic chemistry fields.
As Director of the Examination Standards Office, I was involved in major projects such as the comprehensive revision of the Examination Guidelines and Handbook in 2015, the drafting of the PCT Handbook, revising the guidelines for patent term extension applications following Supreme Court decisions, and introducing new examination practices for inventions relating to food uses. I also served for three years as a Judicial Research Official at the Tokyo District Court, dealing with litigation cases.
Earlier in my career, I participated in an overseas training program at the USPTO and the CAFC, where I studied U.S. practice for six months. This experience highlighted for me the importance of developing Japan’s system while keeping international practices in mind.
In the latter half of my career, I spent many years in the Trial and Appeal Department. Especially during my two and a half years as Executive Chief Administrative Judge, I dealt with litigation-related and complex cases across all fields, including designs and trademarks—an experience that provided invaluable insights every day.
Now, as a patent attorney, I remain committed to continuous self-development so that I can always respond to clients’ needs with humility, sincerity, and initiative.