Attorney
Yohei Kijima
Greeting
Since my registration as an Attorney in 2012, I began my career as an in-house lawyer, focusing primarily on supporting compliance in healthcare companies, especially pharmaceutical companies, and handling international corporate legal affairs. Since joining this firm, I have also engaged in labor-related cases and various individual cases.
From 2013 to 2018, I worked in the Legal Department of a major domestic pharmaceutical company and as the Head of the Legal and Compliance Department of a foreign pharmaceutical company. My responsibilities included providing legal support for new drug research and development, production, and sales, as well as marketing for over-the-counter drugs, supporting the IT department, international arbitration and dispute resolution, M&A, licensing, expansion into Asia, U.S. patent litigation, and handling internal whistleblowing. After founding Pharma Integrity Inc., a consulting firm specializing in compliance support for pharmaceutical companies, in 2019, I have focused on consulting related to compliance in pharmaceutical promotions (Advertising, Transfer of Value, Bribery, Regulatory, etc.). I also serve as an Advisor to the Compliance Committee of the Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association (“IHOKEN”). Additionally, as an Attorney at the firm, I have handled numerous litigations and consultations from companies, been seconded to major foreign pharmaceutical and medical device companies and engaged in investigations related to manufacturing fraud and clinical trial misconduct. These achievements have been recognized in the industry, and I was selected as a “Top Pharma Compliance Solutions Provider in APAC 2023” by Pharma Tech Outlook.
Besides engaging in various international legal affairs unrelated to healthcare companies, I also handle daily contract reviews and translations. Recently, I have also focused on cutting-edge legal fields, such as the application of generative AI in healthcare. For the recognition of my work, I have Awarded as “5 Best AI Solution Providers to Watch 2024” by Silicon Review.
For individual clients, I actively handle internal whistleblowing cases, labor-related cases, and various other cases, including serving as a consultant for the Tokyo Employment Consultation Center (“TECC”).
Although the work I engage in is diverse, I believe that the foundation of all work is the “Credibility” of the lawyer and the “Trust” from the client. I always strive to provide tailored services considering the nature of each task. Especially in the healthcare industry, I have a network of various experts, so I can propose solutions that meet the client’s needs as much as possible. I look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
For international healthcare services by Attorney Yohei Kijima, please visit here.
Biography
Born: August 1985, Fukushima Prefecture
2004: Graduated from Aizu High School
2008: Graduated from Kyoto University, Faculty of Law (LL.B.)
2010: Graduated from Cornell University Law School (LL.M.)
2011: Graduated from Waseda University Law School (J.D.), passed Japan’s Bar examination
December 2012: Registered as an Attorney (Tokyo Bar Association)
January 2013: Member of the Japan In-House Lawyers Association
June 2015: Registered as an Attorney in New York State, USA
March 2019: Changed Attorney’s registration to Daini Tokyo Bar Association
July 2023: Member of the Drug Information Association (DIA)
September 2023: Awarded “Top Pharma Compliance Solutions Provider in APAC 2023” by Pharma Tech Outlook
September 2023: Member of the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS)
June 2024: Academic Member of Association to Generalize Utilization of Generative AI (“GUGA”)
June 2024: Awarded “5 Best AI Solution Providers to Watch 2024” by Silicon Review
June 2024: Awarded “5 Most Reliable Attorneys for Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Practice” (Nikkei Newspaper)
Carrer
January 2013 – June 2017: Legal Department (Legal Counsel), Eisai Co., Ltd.
July 2017 – December 2018: Head of Legal and Compliance Department, CSL Behring K.K.
January 2019 – April 2021: Associate, Shin-Yotsuya Law Offices
January 2019 – Present: Advisor to the Compliance Committee of the The Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association (“IHOKEN”)
March 2019 – Present: Founding Director/Senior Consultant, Pharma Integrity Inc.
April 2019 – Present: Consultant, Tokyo Employment Consultation Center (“TECC”)
April 2021 – March 2022: Counsel, GIT Law Office
July 2021 – December 2021: Seconded to a major foreign medical device company
April 2022 – Present: Counsel, Shin-Yotsuya Law Offices
December 2022 – Present: Seconded to a major foreign pharmaceutical company
Books and Articles
“Handbook of Japanese Regulations on Advertisement of Prescription Drugs, 2nd Edition” (Yakuji Nippo, Limited., 2024)
Handbook of Regulations on Japanese Regulations on Transfer of Value and Bribery of Prescription Drugs” (Yakuji Nippo, Limited., 2024)
“Achieving Compliance in Pharmaceutical Companies, Revised Edition – Overview of Relevant Laws and Voluntary Standards with Case Studies” (Yakuji Nippo, Limited., co-authored, 2019)
“Industry-based Q&A Book: Regulations on Pharmaceuticals” (Chuo Keizai-sha, co-authored, 2024)
“Industry-based Q&A Book: Regulations on Medical Devices” (Chuo Keizai-sha, co-authored, 2024)