Mr. Eiji Saegusa, second-generation president of Saegusa & Partners and a venerated leader in the field of intellectual property, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Saegusa, a specialist in organic and inorganic chemistry, assumed the office of president of Saegusa & Partners in 1975, where he worked tirelessly as an advanced practitioner in the field of intellectual property while growing the firm into one of Japan’s most distinguished IP boutiques. In 1996, the year of the firm’s 50th anniversary, he was presented with the Ojuhosho (Medal with a Yellow Ribbon, a prestigious award for industriousness) by Emperor Heisei for his great contribution to the field.

After assuming the role of Executive Advisor in 2014 following decades of service, Mr. Saegusa remained a warm, genial presence in the office, where his philosophy of “doing our best for our clients” carries on to this day. Known to his colleagues in Japan and all over the world as a generous mentor and a pioneer in the field of intellectual property, Mr. Saegusa will be dearly missed.

Guided by Mr. Saegusa’s philosophy and numerous outstanding achievements, we at Saegusa & Partners will strive to maintain the trust and confidence of our clients now and into the future.