List of Maritime Law Firms in Japan

Sago & Co. was established in July 2022 and has made a new start as a law firm. While specializing in maritime matters, we will strive to grow together with our clients as a full-service law firm that provides outstanding services in all areas to domestic and international clients.

• Marine Casualties
  We have a wealth of experience in dealing with wet shipping matters such as Collisions, Allisions, Groundings, Sinking, Fires, Oil Pollutions, Salvage, Wreck Removal, General Average, etc., both in domestic and international cases. We deal with all types of casualty matters, including crew interviews and investigation of the cause of the incident by our experienced marine counsel at the site of the incident, as well as dealing with criminal and administrative proceedings and handling of claims for damages . We provide appropriate handling and advice to many Owners, Operators, Underwriters and P&IClubs, in cooperation with foreign lawyers, whom we have established networks, as necessary.
• Maritime-Related Trouble and other (including international dispute resolution)
  We have extensive experience in drafting, negotiating and reviewing Time, Voyage and Bareboat charterparties, Bills of Lading and Waybills, COA, Ship Sales contracts, Shipbuilding contracts and Ship management contracts, whether for coastal or ocean-going vessels, cargo or passenger ships. We also deal with other issues relating to maritime contracts, including dispute resolution, either by arbitration or court litigation, through our international network of shipping and commercial law firms. We also handle legal proceedings such as Ship Arrest, Limitation of liability cases and Maritime insolvency cases, both domestically and internationally. We also provide advice on ship finance and offshore wind power under regulatory and other relevant laws.
• Insurance and Reinsurance
  We provide dealt with handling insurance accidents, and advise on interpreting insurance clauses, and determining whether insurance cover is available for marine insurance (e.g. Hull insurance, PI and Cargo insurance), Fire insurance, and Liability insurance. We also provide advice on legal and practical issues in the preparation of new insurance policies.
• Other logistics matters
  Logistics is a multifaceted combination of land, sea and air transport and involves complex contracts and a variety of legal issues. We provide appropriate legal advice to Carriers (e.g. Forwarder, NVOCC and Warehouse operators) involved in such logistics. We provide legal advice on various legal issues (e.g. legal regulations) that arise in the logistics DX, such as the establishment of logistics platforms, the drafting of contracts, negotiations with administrative authorities and other legal research-based advice.
• General Corporate matters

Mr. Teruyuki Sago : Lawyer (admitted in 2003, Japan)

1994 Sophia University, Law Dept.,
2014 ~Visiting Professor of Law at Dalian Maritime University
2016 ~Associate professor of Waseda Law School
2022 Founder of Sago & Co.

Mr. Yutaka Akatsuka: Lawyer (admitted in 2009, Japan)

2006 Keio University, Bachelor of Law
2008 Keio University Law School,Juris Doctor
2017 Southampton University Maritime Law LL.M.
2019 Seconded to Japan P&I as claim handler
2022 Founder of Sago & Co.

Mr. Shinji Asano : Marine Counsel

1988 First Grade Maritime Officer (Engineering)
1988 Second Grade Maritime Officer (Navigation)
2006 First Class Small Vessel Operator
1977 Joined Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
1992 Joined Fisheries Agency
2008 Seconded to Marine Accident Inquiry Agency as a Marine A Casualty Investigator.
2008 Assigned to Japan Marine Accident Tribunal (Tokyo) and other district tribunals as judge and Investigator for Tribunal
2018 Director General, Hakodate Marine Accident Tribunal
2020 Investigator General for Tribunal, Japan Marine Accident Tribunal
2022 Joined Sago & co.