Yoshio Shimoda

Immigration Lawyer Shimoda Office

Tokyo www.shimodalegal.com

info@shimodalegal.com Tel: +81 90 1532 5074

Biography

Yoshio Shimoda has been practising Japanese immigration law since 1994. He has established himself as the most reliable immigration lawyer in Japan. He is recognised by the community of international firms, as the ‘go-to guy’ for all of their immigration needs. His client list includes the major international firms operating in the country, including banks, automotive, IT, oil, and pharmaceutical firms. He joined IBA in 2003, as the first Japanese immigration lawyer to take a seat on the committee. He has been a regular speaker since 2002 at international conferences including IBA and AILA.

I was admitted as an administrative lawyer in 1994, established ILS Shimoda Office in 1997, and became the first Japanese immigration lawyer to become a member of IBA in 2003.

ILS Shimoda Office has become one of the leading immigration law firms in Japan, having represented many global companies in approximately 50,000 applications until 2012. I retired as the head of the firm at the end of 2012 and established the Immigration Lawyer Shimoda office in 2013. I am now providing detailed legal services to top-class entrepreneurs and businesspersons around the world.

Also, as an adviser of JILA (Japan Immigration Lawyers Association), I am currently participating in policy advocacy activities regarding immigration administration to the Japanese government.

What do you enjoy most about working in immigration law?

The movement of people to foreign countries with different cultures, customs, and business styles requires overcoming various barriers, and it is very interesting to be involved in this area of legal work.

How does Immigration Lawyer Shimoda Office distinguish itself from competition in the market?

We provide detailed analysis and solutions based on our extensive experience and knowledge.

To what extent will the coronavirus pandemic have a longterm impact on global mobility programmes and the corporate culture of international assignments?

Overseas assignments that are less necessary will be curtailed in the long term. On the other hand, the importance of international mobility for essential people and tasks will continue.

How do you anticipate the Japanese legal market changing in the next five years? How might this affect your practice?

The coronavirus pandemic has promoted the use of IT for administrative services in Japan. It is expected that online procedures will become the mainstream for immigration applications, which will fundamentally change the way legal services are provided. Simple tasks other than providing appropriate analysis and solutions will be reduced.

What is the key to corporate immigration practice under the current administration?

As a matter of policy, the acceptance of personnel with highly specialised skills will be increasingly encouraged. As laws and systems continue to change at a rapid pace, it is essential to keep abreast of the latest information and continue to provide appropriate solutions.

Looking back over your career, what has been your proudest achievement?

I was the first legal professional to establish an immigration law firm in Japan that could meet the needs of international corporate clients. The advice and issues I have raised have had several important impacts on the immigration policies of Japan over the past two decades.

WWL says: Peers rate Yoshio Shimoda as a “first-class immigration expert” and “the best immigration lawyer in Japan”. Sources add: “He is great to work with on Japanese Immigration matters”.