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Shinya Yamamoto serves as a liaison and counsel for Japanese companies operating in the U.S. market. Fluent in English and Japanese, he possesses deep business and cultural insight into Japanese operations and the factors driving commercial decisions. Shinya is dedicated to his clients' success and takes personal satisfaction in watching their businesses thrive.

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As a member of Masuda Funai's Japan Resources Group in Michigan, Shinya specializes in representing Japan-based clients and his practice spans multiple sectors, including manufacturing, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, construction, electronics, transportation, gaming, and automotive. He collaborates closely with global business and legal advisors, particularly those from Japan, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, to facilitate his clients' expansion into those markets.

Shinya's expertise extends across various legal domains, and he frequently conducts seminars in both the U.S. and Japan, covering commercial, real estate, and other legal issues pertinent to cross-border transactions and foreign investment.

From 2005 through 2024, Shinya served as the legal advisor to the Board of Directors of the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School, and he has represented the Office of the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago in real estate matters. In 2024, Shinya was appointed as a Legal Advisor to the Board of the Detroit Ringo Kai Japanese School.

Additionally, he gained valuable experience from his secondment to the Legal Department, International Law Division of JTEKT Corporation in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. During his tenure, he actively contributed to diverse legal matters, including joint venture agreements, commercial leases, shareholder meetings, and employee training for foreign subsidiaries.

Practice Areas

Education

  • IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 1997
  • Michigan State University, Eli Broad School of Business, B.A., Marketing, 1993

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • Michigan

Languages

  • English
  • Japanese
.
Experience

Experience

Assisted an electronic gaming machine manufacturer in connection with their licensing issues including attending and providing language support at gaming board hearings, various litigation hearings and meetings in US and overseas.

Represented the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese railroad rolling stock manufacturer in the formation of subsidiary entities, purchase of property for the establishment of a manufacturing facility and procurement of incentives and grants for the project.

Assisted in the legal representation of a major Japanese automotive component manufacturer in the negotiation, formation and establishment of complex, multi-tiered dual joint venture entities in Mexico with a large scale global private investment fund.

Represented the office of the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago for issues relating to their office leases and residences.

Represented an automotive parts manufacturer in the development of a major industrial facility in Vincennes, Indiana.  

Represented an automotive parts manufacturer in the sale, lease-back and deferred exchange purchase of a manufacturing/warehouse facility in Schaumburg, Illinois. 

Represented a Japanese hospitality concern in the establishment of a trend-setting restaurant in Los Angeles, California.

Represented a Japanese hotel development company in the purchase of candidate site locations in Chicago, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia. 

Represented a Japanese restaurant chain in the asset purchase/acquisition of Chicago area restaurant businesses.

Counseled a machinery manufacturer on the subdivision, partial sale and lease-back of a 20-acre industrial development.

Represented an automotive parts manufacturer in the purchase/expansion of an office/warehouse in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Represented an electrical component manufacturer in its sale of their office/warehouse facility in Fremont, California.

Assisted in everyday functions of legal department of a multi-national corporation, including review of proposed joint venture agreement with an Indian company, assisting in the dissolution of a Japanese joint venture, training of prospective foreign subsidiary employees, commercial lease matters and preparation for and participation in the annual shareholders meeting.

Represented an Automotive parts manufacturer in the purchase and development of their North American R&D Headquarters in Michigan.

Memberships

Memberships

Asian Pacific Bar Association of Chicago
Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario
Japan Business Society of Detroit
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Professional Activities
Legal Updates/Client Advisories
When a Photo Op Becomes a Lease Oops
Many companies often place building images of their place of business in their “about us” section on platforms introducing themselves…
Michigan Legal Update
URGENT LEGAL REMINDERS URGENT LEGAL REMINDER (1) – MANDATORY FEDERAL FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT (“ACT”) ARE…
Events
Complimentary CCT Webinar: Basics of U.S. Contract Review - What are the Most Important Provisions that Cannot be Missed? (in Japanese)
7.17.24
Co-Sponsor: Japan Business Society of Detroit Shinya Yamamoto Hatoka Tsukamoto In business transactions, a variety of…
News
Masuda Funai Welcomes Shinya Yamamoto to the Detroit Office
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. is pleased to welcome Shinya Yamamoto to the Detroit office. Fluent in English and Japanese, Shinya…
Distinctions