Image of Kana Morimura

Kana Morimura

Partner

Email

kana.morimura@aoshearman.com

Phone

+81 3 4567 3353

Offices

Tokyo

V-CARD
Kana’s expertise comprises dispute matters, with a particular focus on advising clients on matters related to dispute resolution, investigation, anti-corruption, antitrust and compliance. 

Kana has represented a number of corporate and individual clients on cross-border dispute matters, especially Japanese industrial corporations including major Japanese manufactures and service providers, as well as financial service providers. She represented clients in multijurisdictional government-facing investigations, including investigations relating to FCPA, antitrust, fraud, issues of product quality including the False Claim Act (FCA) matters facing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other U.S. authorities, and relevant class actions and other litigations, as well as customer negotiations.  Her investigation experience includes internal investigations for Japanese corporations on anti-corruption, antitrust, fraud and product quality matters.

Kana also has extensive experience in advising clients on establishing or restructuring their compliance programs, including promoting compliance programs based on global standards and periodic updates on compliance, as well as implementing compliance restructuring plans agreed to with the authorities after government investigations.

She has experience of working as a Japanese licensed lawyer at law firms in Tokyo prior to joining the firm in 2011. She has worked in both the Tokyo office and the New York office.

Experience

Representative matters

  • A Japanese auto part supplier in global antitrust investigations facing multinational authorities, including the DOJ, and in follow-on class action case that resulted in defeat of class certification.
  • Japanese auto part suppliers in antitrust investigation before the DOJ, including cases that resulted in closing the investigation without prosecution.
  • Japanese executives of auto part suppliers in antitrust investigations by the DOJ.
  • A Japanese food and healthcare company and its subsidiary in antitrust civil litigation in the U.S.
  • A Japanese chemical company and its affiliates in potential FCPA violation matters and internal investigations.
  • A Japanese corporation in potential FCPA violation matters and internal investigations.
  • A Japanese corporation on a global assessment of its anti-corruption compliance structure.
  • A Japanese infrastructure company on enhancements to its global anti-corruption compliance program.
  • A multijurisdictional consulting firm in setting its anti-corruption policy.
  • Numerous Japan-based manufactures and financial institutions on compliance issues, including antitrust, anti-corruption, litigation and product quality management.
  • A Japanese manufacturer on issues related to product inspection data and quality management before the DOJ.
  • Japanese material suppliers in their internal investigations and potential governmental proceedings and litigation related to product inspection data issues, including advising on their disclosure of the issue and preparing for the press conference in Japan.
  • A Japanese individual in an investigation by the DOJ and other U.S. authorities into fraud involving product inspection data.
  • A Japanese financial institution in an investigation and legal proceedings by the DOJ and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a third-party witness.
  • A Japanese financial institution on various compliance matters, including sanctions, anti-money laundering and corporate social responsibility relating to its global operations.
  • A Japanese financial institution in possible misconduct relating to its derivative transactions and follow-on compliance restructuring.
  • A Japanese transportation company in data protection advice in connection with its operations for oversea customers.
  • A Japanese chemical company in an employment litigation matter in U.S. district court.

Published Work

  • Morimura K., (2014) “Practical Measures for Cartel Cases under US Jurisdiction – From the Perspective of Protecting Companies and Individuals”, Tokyo: Shoji Homu
  • Morimura K., (2012) “Practical Filing of Form F-4 with the SEC—Guide for Filing of Form F-4 and Responding to Staff Comments”, Tokyo: Keiri Joho
  • Morimura K., (2009) “US Corporate Law”, Tokyo: Yuhikaku
  • Morimura K., (2004) “Reform of the Rules Governing Working Arrangements between Japanese and Foreign Lawyers”, New York City: Legal Week 

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, Response to Quality Fraud Issues – From the Perspective of U.S. Law, Fronteo, November 2022
  • Moderator, ‘Big Tech’ and the Antitrust Paradigm Shift, Shearman & Sterling, February 2022
  • Speaker, Investigations In Asia – Japan & South Korea, Shearman & Sterling, December 2020 

Recognition

“Morimura is skilled at antitrust litigation and compliance matters”
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024

Awards

  • Next Generation Partner for Antitrust and Competition in Japan, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2024 
  • Leading Lawyer - Rising Star Partner in Japan Capital Markets, Equity, IFLR1000, 2024
  • Recommended Lawyer for Corporate and M&A in Japan, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023
  • Recommended Lawyer for Capital Markets in Japan, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023
  • Next Generation Partner for Antitrust and Competition in Japan, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2023
  • Next Generation Partner for Antitrust and Competition in Japan, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

New York, 2008

Japan, 2016 (Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York))

Academic

LL.B., Kyoto University, 2000

LL.M., Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Columbia Law School, 2007

Languages

Japanese, English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.