Chief Judge's Greeting
Chief Judge of the Intellectual Property High Court
MASUDA Minoru
Born on October 31, 1962
Profile
MASUDA Minoru was appointed as a judge in 1987, and then served at the Tokyo District Court, the Asahikawa District Court and Asahikawa Family Court, the Administrative Affairs Bureau and Administrative Research Official Office, the Supreme Court, the Nagoya District Court, etc. He also served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tokyo and the Embassy of Japan in Canada). His recent professional career is as follows:
April 2012 Judge at the Tokyo District Court (presiding judge)
April 2016 Director-General of the National Tax Tribunal
April 2018 Chief Judge of the Naha District Court
January 2020 Judge at the Fukuoka High Court (presiding judge)
May 2022 Judge at the Tokyo High Court (presiding judge)
February 2025 Judge at the Intellectual Property High Court (presiding judge)
November 2, 2025 Chief Judge
Message
Having served at the Intellectual Property High Court since February 2025, I now assume the post of Chief Judge on this occasion.
In today’s world, where various technological innovations are progressing, including rapid advances in AI and other digital technologies, the role of the judiciary is becoming increasingly important to protect intellectual property rights in an appropriate manner. In addition, with the globalization of economic activities and the advancement of the Internet society, cross-border intellectual property disputes are also increasing.
Under these circumstances, we at the Intellectual Property High Court have been working to digitize court proceedings here at the Business Court in Nakameguro in Tokyo. Currently, with a view to the digitization of case records commencing in May 2026 at the latest, we continue to make further efforts to ensure proper and prompt judicial decisions that exhibit high expertise through substantial proceedings by reviewing our litigation practices and improving how we manage proceedings. We at the Intellectual Property High Court also actively engage in initiatives for the dissemination of information, such as the online disclosure of information on judgments, as well as engaging in international exchange.
Going forward, we will do my utmost to ensure that the Intellectual Property High Court will, without fail, to meet the demands of the times and fulfil its role, thereby gaining the high trust of people both in Japan and internationally. We greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation.