Professional Background & Qualifications

My name is Hisafumi Funato, an attorney at SAKURA Law Office.

For approximately 20 years, I worked in corporate legal departments across a wide range of industries—from long-established listed trading companies to emerging IT startups—engaging in diverse areas of business law.

During this period, I obtained several professional certifications, including Business Law Level 1, Advanced Business Compliance, and Real Estate Transaction Specialist, supporting companies through both practical experience and specialized legal knowledge.

My interest expanded beyond corporate law into civil, criminal, and administrative matters, which led me to attend night law school while working. I subsequently passed the Preliminary Bar Examination and the National Bar Examination to become an attorney.

Comprehensive Legal Services

Since becoming an attorney, I have handled a broad range of civil matters, including divorce and traffic accidents, while also serving as corporate counsel and external director for various companies. I provide support to both individuals and corporate clients.

Commitment to Environmental Law

The 21st century is often called “the century of the environment.” As a legal professional, I am dedicated to addressing issues such as decarbonization, industrial waste, asbestos, and soil contamination. I am also a member of the Japan Environmental Lawyers Federation (JELF) and continue to be involved in environmental law research and advocacy.

My Vision as an Attorney

I aim to be an attorney who can deliver optimal and practical solutions across both traditional and emerging fields, with a particular focus on environmental law while serving both individuals and corporations.

Achievements

【1】Civil Matters | Negotiation & Mediation

Represented all four defendants in a major dispute in which a global distribution company sought approx. JPY 533 million in damages from so-called “resellers.” After detailed examination of the legal grounds and persistent negotiation, successfully reached a settlement of approx. JPY 16.45 million (about 3% of the claimed amount) (May 2024).

Successfully overturned the immediate termination of a non-regular university employee by demonstrating reasonable expectation of continued employment, securing an annual compensation package of JPY 2.4 million (Oct 2023).

Obtained a settlement of JPY 1.12 million for psychological harm arising from collective workplace bullying (“mobbing”) through careful argumentation regarding causation (Jan 2024).

Handled multiple power harassment and forced-resignation cases, securing settlements of JPY 1–2.7 million and ensuring preventive measures such as employer-initiated separation and removal of adverse personnel records (Mar, Apr, Jun 2024).

Achieved a complete withdrawal (zero payment) of a JPY 5.5 million claim against a corporate officer for alleged breach of duty by scrutinizing decision-making processes and corporate governance records (Jan 2025).

In a sexual harassment damages claim of JPY 5.65 million, reached a settlement of JPY 1 million by disputing causation and the extent of injury (Apr 2025).

Negotiated settlements totaling JPY 1.6 million in multiple cases involving harassment by several supervisors (May & Oct 2025).

Represented a female dancer who suffered indecent conduct by an intoxicated visitor, obtaining a settlement of JPY 1.6 million within one month through rapid fact-finding and legal action (Oct 2025).

Represented a spouse harmed by infidelity, securing JPY 1.5 million in damages plus a non-contact pledge and a JPY 3 million penalty clause (Jul 2023).

Secured repayment of JPY 3 million for a client who had lent money to a nightclub host (Aug 2023).

Negotiated a settlement of JPY 2 million in a divorce mediation arising from infidelity (Oct 2024).

Reduced a JPY 3 million claim for emotional distress to a settlement of JPY 500,000 (Apr 2025).

In a vehicle damage appraisal dispute, achieved an increase of approx. JPY 1.8 million from the insurer’s initial offer (Nov 2022).

In a building-collision accident caused by a truck, reduced a JPY 2 million claim to a settlement of JPY 700,000 (Jul 2024).

Reduced a JPY 1.5 million fire-damage claim arising from a neighboring house fire to a settlement of JPY 300,000 by disputing legal responsibility (Sep 2024).

【2】Civil Litigation

In a JPY 1.5 million power harassment lawsuit, obtained a dismissal through withdrawal after only two court hearings due to lack of evidence (Mar 2024).

In a lawsuit seeking JPY 16 million for alleged competitive misconduct by a former employee, achieved a zero-payment settlement (Aug 2025).

In complex litigation involving wrongful dismissal, unpaid overtime, and harassment, increased the employer’s initial offer of JPY 500,000 to a court-assisted settlement of JPY 4 million (Oct 2025).

Won a complete dismissal (full victory) in a large-scale lawsuit seeking approx. JPY 118 million for alleged post-employment competition and solicitation (Nov 2025).

Obtained an additional JPY 1 million in settlement for a former spouse despite her prior receipt of JPY 6.4 million in divorce compensation (Oct 2024).

Achieved a settlement of JPY 2.7 million in a lawsuit involving a JPY 5 million penalty claim for breach of a written pledge (Dec 2024).

Resolved a JPY 2.8 million indecent-conduct damages lawsuit for JPY 500,000 by challenging credibility and evidence (Mar 2025).

In a JPY 10.5 million high-value loan recovery case, secured full repayment through a structured settlement after only two hearings (Apr 2025).

【3】Criminal & Public Interest Matters

Successfully obtained a rare “revocation” decision in a quasi-appeal against detention, leading to the client’s release within a few days (Dec 2022).

Worked with a whistleblower to expose concealed motorcycle-recall issues at a major Japanese manufacturer. Through administrative filings and media coordination, contributed to the company’s eventual implementation of an official recall (Oct 2024).