Grant Tanabe

Our attorneys, foreign law attorneys, and judicial scriveners are a multilingual team of legal professionals who have a deep understanding of doing business in Europe, the US, and Japan. We have a strong record of providing goal-oriented and practical solutions to our clients as we understand the business issues at hand.  We are recognized in the Japanese market as being the leading firm in representing German companies doing business in Japan and are proud to be the trusted law firm of the German and Austrian Embassies in Japan.  In the past few years, our law practice has tripled in size and has added attorneys with experience at top global firms including a US-based international firm, a UK magic circle firm, as well as the top five Japanese law firms.  We provide our clients with the personalized attention of a small firm coupled with our broad experience of dealing with international clients and transactions.

Foreign companies operating in Japan are constantly dealing with employment law issues as Japanese employment law can be difficult to understand and navigate for those used to more employer-friendly legal systems.  Employment regulations are also in a state of flux, as the Government of Japan moves forward with a package of labour-related reforms designed to address Japan’s social issues, such as their ageing and declining population.  Our team of labour and employment law attorneys help clients see the practical application of these regulations to their business, and work with companies to advise on the drafting of their employment contracts and internal work rules so that they are tailor-made to fit their business needs.

Our attorneys are also actively involved in advising on compliance with labour regulations and representing employers in employee and labour union dispute matters.  Some of our representative work in this area include:

• Advising companies on wrongful termination claims from former employees or labour unions;
• Advising companies and individuals on harassment claims, including power and sexual harassment;
• Representing companies on various employment law related disputes before the [Labor Tribunal and Labor Relations Commission,] and for civil litigation matters before the Tokyo District Court;
• Advising companies on how to appropriately draft their employment contracts, internal work rules, and other related documents; and
• Providing companies with training for their executives and other employees on compliance with labour regulations.

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Grant Tanabe’s practice focuses on corporate and commercial transactions, including strategic transactions and relationships such as joint ventures, cross-border M&A, and private equity investments as well as technology licensing and servicing agreements. Grant also supports clients on labour and employment matters, including appropriately terminating employees, preventing and resolving harassment issues, and drafting HR company work rules.

Education

University of Hawaii (BA), 1992

Willamette University College of Law (JD), 1997

University of Hawaii (MBA), 2003

Admitted to practice in the State of Hawaii in 1997

Admitted to practice in Japan as a Registered Foreign Attorney in 2011

Qualifications/Other held positions

State of Hawaii, Hawaii State Bar Association

Japan, as a Registered Foreign Lawyer, Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association

American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (2004 to present)

U.S.-Japan Council, Member (2015 to present)

U.S.-Japan Council, Regional Chair for Japan (2019 to present)

Previous employment

K&L Gates Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise (2010-2015)

PricewaterhouseCoopers Co., Ltd. (2008-2010), as in-house counsel

Aflac International (2004-2008), as in-house counsel

Publications

“Workplace Harassment Comes in Many Forms: How Can You Help Your Company Prevent and Deal with Harassment in the Workplace” (updated) (Japan Lawyers Guide 2019-2020, Lexis Nexis)

“Workplace Harassment Comes in Many Forms: How Can You Help Your Company Prevent and Deal With Harassment in the Workplace” (S&E Newsletter) August 2018

Entry No. 9 Article of Foreign Lawyers Practicing Law in Japan, In-house Lawyer Experience and Practical Advice (Business Homu, Vol. 18/No.4) April 2018 (in Japanese)

“Understanding the Business Culture as well as the Legal Issues for a Successful M&A Transaction in Japan” (Lexis Nexis Japan Lawyers Guide, 2016/17) 2016

“Against the Odds” (Asian-Mena Counsel) 2011

Presentations

“Workplace Harassment Comes in Many Forms: How Can You Help Your Company Prevent and Deal with Harassment in the Workplace?” (The Japan In-House Counsel Network, JICN) February 2018

 “The Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its IP Law Aspects in Japan” (EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation) September 2017

 “Japan’s Labor Officials Newly Aggressive Actions To Enforce Overtime Regulations – Overview of the MHLW’s Team to Eliminate Excessive Work and Practical Ways Companies Can Deal with Overtime Issues” (Asian Legal Business, Japan In-House Legal Summit) May 2017

“Power Harassment: What is it? How should your Company prevent it? What should you do if it happens?” Japan In-House Counsel Network (Tokyo, 2014)

“Proposed New Amendments to the Company Act: Will these Amendments Change the Landscape of Corporate Governance in Japan?” Japan In-House Counsel Network, (Tokyo, 2012)

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