Intellectual Property Litigation and Contracts Specialist

This full-time role handles domestic and international intellectual property litigation and contract matters. Responsibilities include resolving and responding to IP external-affairs matters such as licensing, alliances, and litigation; developing and reviewing response policies; and driving related projects. The work requires collecting and analyzing information on development trends, business conditions, case-law and regulatory developments, judges, and litigation venues. Cooperation with internal departments, courts, opposing parties, and local representatives is essential.

The role also drafts technology-related contracts, evaluates risks, negotiates terms, and supports the fulfillment of contractual obligations. It involves working with domestic and international internal departments and contributing to development and business activities. Candidates from either administrative or technical backgrounds can work in this role.

Applicants must have practical experience in intellectual property litigation or contracts. They must be able to perform work using English, with TOEIC around 750 or higher given as a guideline. The posting also seeks people willing to take on difficult issues and motivated to acquire knowledge and develop professionally. No education requirement is stated.

The intellectual property external-affairs function works closely with research and development and business divisions globally to support and strengthen operations through intellectual property. It supports four global business groups covering printing, imaging, medical, and industrial activities. The work contributes to new-business launches, alliances with other companies, use of intellectual property rights through litigation and licensing, and technology-contract operations.

The position is a permanent full-time role at Canon’s headquarters in Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo. Working hours are 8:30–17:00, although some offices use 8:00–16:30. Overtime pay is provided separately. The annual salary shown in the JobPosting data is JPY 5.3–8.7 million. The starting basic salary and bonus are determined under company rules according to experience and ability, with the specific amount communicated after the hiring decision. Salary increases occur once a year, and bonuses are paid twice a year in June and December.

The stated working schedule includes a five-day workweek, in principle on Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, a May holiday period, and summer leave. Annual holidays total 125 days. Annual paid leave is 20 days, adjusted in the first year according to the joining month. A five-day flexible vacation, refresh leave based on length of service, and condolence leave are also provided. Benefits include full transportation and overtime allowances, social insurance, retirement benefits, a corporate pension, savings plans, an employee stock ownership plan, a mutual-aid association, training, childcare-related reduced working hours, company recreation facilities, sports facilities, and internal events. The posting also reports 2024 average annual actual working time of 1,730 hours and average paid-leave usage of 17.6 days, with an 88.0% average usage rate.