Practice Areas

Corporate and Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, M&A, Debt Collecting, Bankruptcy and Insolvency, Restructuring, Intellectual Property, International Trade, International Practice in Asia, Criminal Law

　

Introduction and Practice Profile

Yoshihiro Obayashi is a partner at Yodoyabashi & Yamagami LPC and a highly versatile attorney specializing in Intellectual Property - with a strong emphasis on patent law - and Mergers & Acquisitions. While his cross-border practice primarily focuses on Asian jurisdictions centered around Singapore, he routinely advises clients on complex legal frameworks involving North America and the European Union.

A graduate of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law, Yoshihiro significantly expanded his international legal expertise by earning his LL.M. from the National University of Singapore. He holds the distinguished honor of being only the second Japanese national to pass the Singapore Foreign Practitioner Examinations. His profound, practical understanding of Southeast Asian business and legal landscapes is deeply rooted in his hands-on experience. During his career, he worked extensively on secondment at premier local law firms in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, gaining invaluable insight into regional practices.

Despite his highly specialized international profile, Yoshihiro deeply values the unique legal culture of Osaka. Recognizing that local clients prefer close, highly communicative, and long-lasting relationships with their counsel, he embraces a generalist approach. He capably handles a broad spectrum of domestic legal matters - ranging from corporate advisory to family law - to fully serve his clients' diverse needs.

Beyond his active legal practice, Yoshihiro is deeply engaged in alternative dispute resolution and academia. He serves as an arbitrator for the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) and a mediator at the Kyoto International Mediation Center (JIMC-Kyoto). Furthermore, he shares his extensive knowledge by lecturing at Ritsumeikan University, Kansai University, and Osaka Metropolitan University.

Education

• The National University of Singapore (L.L.M., 2014)
• Ritsumeikan University (J.D., 2007)
• The University of Tokyo (L.L.B., 2005)

Professional Admissions

• Japan (2008)
• Successful candidate of the Singapore Foreign Practitioner Examinations, the Singapore bar examination for foreign lawyers

Languages

• Japanese
• English

Professional and Academic Associations

• Osaka Bar Association
• On full-time secondment to Rodyk & Davidson LLP, a Singapore local law firm (2014-2015)
• On full-time secondment to Thanathip & Partners, a Thailand local law firm (2015)
• On full-time secondment to Hutabarat Halim & Rekan, an Indonesia local law firm (2015)
• Academic Adviser, the Ritsumeikan University (2008-2013)