Professionals
Partner
Hitomi Sakai
- Admitted
- 2003, Japan; 2018, New York
- Languages
- Japanese/English
Practices
International Inheritance and Estate Planning, and Labor and Employment.
Hitomi Sakai offers practical and thoughtful solutions to legal issues in estate planning, for both international and domestic clients.
Professional Background / Education
Professional Background
- 2003-2019
- Kojima Law Offices
- 2009-2015
- Deputy General of Japan Association of Arbitrators
- 2012-
- Special Commissioner of the Central Committee for Adjustment of Construction Work Disputes, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
- 2018-2020
- Mediator at Tokyo Family Court
- 2019 to Present
- City-Yuwa Partners
Education
- 1996
- Chuo University (LL.B.)
- 2003
- Legal Training and Research Institute
- 2016
- Vanderbilt Law School (LL.M.)
Professional Activities / Accolades
- Awards-
■ Chambers High Net Worth 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Private Wealth Law-Japan
■ The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025-Private Wealth-Japan, Leading Individual.
- Professional Activities-
■ Member, the Hong Kong Chapter, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ("STEP")
■ Member, Japan Association of the Law of Trust
■ Member, Family Business Advisors Association Japan ("FBAA")
■ Academician, The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law ("TIAETL")
■ Member, International Fiscal Association ("IFA")
■International Fellow, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel ("ACTEC")
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Articles“Series Roundtable Discussion: The Depths of Taxation” Series 12: a Deep Dive into International Inheritance (Part 3)Hitomi SakaiSeptember 2025Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Series Roundtable Discussion: The Depths of Taxation” Series 11: a Deep Dive into International Inheritance (Part 2)Hitomi SakaiAugust 2025Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Series Roundtable Discussion: The Depths of Taxation” Series 10: a Deep Dive into International Inheritance (Part 1)Hitomi SakaiJune 2025Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Lexology Panoramic – Private Client 2025 (Japan Chapter)”Hitomi SakaiNovember 2024Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Treatment of foreign organizations (including private foundations) and trusts in Japan”Hitomi SakaiMay 2024Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Comparative Guides for Private Client” (Japan Chapter)Hitomi SakaiNovember 2023Practices : General Consultations on Personnel and Labor Matters
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Articles“The Legal 500: Country Comparative Guides – Japan PRIVATE CLIENT”Hitomi SakaiJanuary 2023Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“International Inheritance and Tax”Hitomi SakaiOctober 2022Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Legal practice for high net worth clients and inheritance tax in foreign countries (Specific Topic)”Hitomi SakaiOctober 2022Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Legal practice for high net worth clients and inheritance tax in foreign countries”Hitomi SakaiSeptember 2022Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Legal Practice for International Inheritance (issues regarding foreign resident’s inheritance and same-sex marriage)”Hitomi SakaiJanuary 2022Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Private Client Law in Japan: Overview”Shigeaki Itoh Hitomi SakaiJuly 2021
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Books“Basic knowledge and practice of international inheritance -How to solve complicated troubles-“Hitomi SakaiOctober 2020Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Private client law in Japan: overview”Shigeaki Itoh Hitomi SakaiJuly 2020
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Articles“A taxing estate”Hitomi SakaiMay 2020Practices : Tax Practice Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Books“Legal and Tax Practice for International Inheritance (The Second Edition)”Hitomi SakaiJanuary 2020Practices : Tax Practice Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Books“100 Rules for Asset Diversification (Not to lose your money!)”Hitomi SakaiDecember 2019Practices : Tax Practice Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Timeshare”-Exit Strategy for Offshore Assets”Hitomi SakaiJuly 2019Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Articles“Private client law in Japan: overview”Shigeaki Itoh Hitomi SakaiJuly 2019
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Books“Inheritance Tax & Legal Practice for Offshore Trusts”Hitomi SakaiJanuary 2018Practices : Family Law Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars30th Annual International Private Client Tax ConferenceInternational Bar Association Conference 2025Hitomi SakaiMarch 4, 2025Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars61st Annual HAWAII TAX INSTITUTE JAPAN-U.S. ALLIANCESession 8: Trust Taxation in Japan on a U.S. TrustHitomi SakaiNovember 3, 2024 〜 November 6, 2024Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars“The 16th Annual STEP International Tax and Estate Planning Forum 2024”Hitomi SakaiJune 13, 2024 〜 June 14, 2024Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars“FAQs about Japanese Inheritance System For US Estate Planners”Hitomi SakaiSeptember 13, 2023Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars“What You Need To Know About Canada-Japan Estate Planning-Golden Opportunity To Understand Key Concepts!”Hitomi SakaiApril 20, 2022Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars“Japanese Inheritance Tax: Everything a Foreigner Is Dying to Know!”Hitomi SakaiOctober 1, 2021Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
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Seminars“Navigating United States – Japanese Private Client Planning”Hitomi SakaiSeptember 19, 2019Practices : Probate / Estates / Wealth Management
- Hitomi Sakai has been recognized as a “Ranked Individual” in Private Wealth Law-Japan by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) Guide 2025. （October 10, 2025）
- City-Yuwa Partners and our lawyers are recommended in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025. （January 19, 2025）
- Hitomi Sakai has been recognized as a “Ranked Individual” in Private Wealth Law-Japan by Chambers HNW Guide 2024. （November 13, 2024）
- City-Yuwa Partners and our lawyers are recommended in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024. （January 19, 2024）
- Hitomi Sakai has been recognized as “Ranked Individual” in Private Wealth Law-Japan by Chambers HNW Guide 2023. （July 27, 2023）
- City-Yuwa Partners and our lawyers are recommended in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023. （January 11, 2023）
- Hitomi Sakai has been recognized as “Ranked Individual” in Private Wealth Law-Japan by Chambers HNW Guide 2022. （July 15, 2022）
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 recommends City-Yuwa Partners in 10 areas and further recommends our 7 lawyers. （January 14, 2022）
- Hitomi Sakai has been recognized as “Ranked Individual” in Private Wealth Law-Japan by Chambers HNW Guide 2021. （July 27, 2021）
- Chambers High Net Worth 2020 has ranked Hitomi Sakai as a leading individual in the area of Private Wealth Law-Japan. （July 13, 2020）
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 has recommended City-Yuwa Partners in the 9 areas, and further recommended our 4 lawyers. （January 17, 2020）
- Chambers High Net Worth 2019 has ranked Hitomi Sakai as a leading individual in the area of Private Wealth Law-Japan. （July 12, 2019）
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Swift legislative action by the government is urgently needed to respond to true globalization! Tax issues when receiving survivor’s pensions from abroad in Japan” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”September 26, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Japan’s unique trust tax system, surprising even to foreign experts: Key considerations when establishing foreign trusts” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”September 16, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Inheritance and Business Succession for Affluent Families: Practical Measures to Avert Dispute Risks” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”September 13, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Estate Planning Before Relocation – Asset Protection Strategies Considering International Tax Risks” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”September 1, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Inheritance and end-of-life planning for childless couples and single individuals: Legal and tax issues commonly faced by high-net-worth individuals” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”August 25, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “A must-read for wealthy individuals and families with assets in the United States! Five strategies to avoid probate” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”August 23, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “The Importance of Estate Planning and Wealth Management in the Globalization Era” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”August 18, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Real estate and financial assets aren’t the only forms of investment! Explore the diverse ways the wealthy invest and manage their assets—ranging from art and precious metals to racehorses and private jets” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”August 7, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Civil trusts, which have been gaining attention for their flexibility in asset management and business succession, have remained in the spotlight for over 15 years since the revision of the Trust Act. However, disputes that escalate into litigation have been on the rise, highlighting the risks of trust related disputes. This article examines the risks of trust related disputes based on actual court cases” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”August 4, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “For myself and for my disabled child… why do problems arise with property put in a family trust? Risks you should know about before requesting the establishment of a trust” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 31, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Why wealthy individuals are creating companies in addition to making wills… Key estate planning points crucial for asset protection” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 24, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Why is the rate of will-making by Japanese people so low? Western experts call it “incomprehensible.” The reality of a country plagued by inheritance disputes… The tragedy caused by assuming that legal (intestate) succession is sufficient ” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 17, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Is your ex-spouse also a threat to the family business? Little-known power of marital property agreements (prenuptial agreements) to protect family assets from divorce disputes” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 14, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Why legally non-binding family rules are vital to family businesses and family governance” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 10, 2025Notices
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An article written by Hitomi Sakai, titled “Why do leading companies go under due to family disputes? A lawyer warns about the risks faced by wealthy families” has been published in Gentosha’s “THE GOLD ONLINE.”July 8, 2025Notices
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The Ministry of Finance of Japan released the final report from the Survey on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment for Trusts, conducted by KPMG AZSA LLC with the cooperation of attorney Hitomi Sakai, whose insights and comments are featured in the report.June 12, 2025Notices
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The Ministry of Finance of Japan released the final report from the “Survey on FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Recommendation 25 (Legal Arrangements)”, which had been conducted by KPMG AZSA LLC and which features among others comments from Hitomi Sakai who had taken part in this survey:September 30, 2024Notices