In response to the Japanese government’s declaration of a state of emergency concerning COVID-19, which covers Tokyo and Osaka, where our offices are located, and will take effect on January 14, 2021, all of our attorneys and staff, for the purposes of prevention and workplace safety as well as the well-being of our clients, will be working remotely using a secure computer network, while providing our clients with continued, uninterrupted service.

Accordingly, we ask that all communications be sent to us by email. For physical documents, please scan them and send them to us by email as well, if necessary.

Because the Japan Patent Office (JPO), where some Examiners are also working remotely, is operating normally, we foresee no delays or problems hindering our normal business activities.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by COVID-19, as we hope that our work-from-home policy will contribute to improve the situation in our cities where our clients, friends, and family live.