Prior to founding Three Well Partners & Associates in 2008, Jin Okinaka gained nine years of experience working at other Japanese patent law firms (1999-2008). Prior to entering the patent profession, he gained four years experience as a research engineer in the chemical department of Rasa Industries, Ltd. (1995-1999).

Bar Admissions
Mr. Okinaka took and passed the patent attorney examination in 2005 and has been registered to practice before the Japanese Patent Office since 2005.

Education
M.S., Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, 1995
B.S., Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, 1993

Experiences at Rasa Industries, Ltd.
During the four years at Rasa Industries, Ltd., Mr. Okinaka was primarily engaged in R&D activities with inorganic polymer flocculants for water treatment, super-purity phosphorus for electronics materials, phosphate glasses for use in the electronics industry, and titanium-dioxide photocatalysts.



Shinji Tanaka has been working in the field of intellectual property law since 2006, joining Three Well Partners & Associates in 2011. Before beginning his legal career, he worked as a research engineer for UCC UESHIMA COFFEE Co., Ltd. (1992-1994), Kansai Research Institute, Inc. (1994-2001), and Prophoenix Co., Ltd. (2001-2006), with extensive experience in a wide range of biotechnology and chemistry.

Bar Admissions
Mr. Tanaka took and passed the patent attorney examination in 2008 and has been registered to practice before the Japanese Patent Office since 2010.

Education
M.S., Agricultural Chemistry, Kyushu University, 1992
B.S., Agricultural Chemistry, Kyushu University, 1990

Experience at UCC, KRI, and Prophenix
Mr. Tanaka’s industry experience includes development of techniques of scaling up beverage production (UCC), development of techniques of detecting microorganisms using antibodies or genetic analysis, producing biocellulose, and sterilizing odor-producing microorganisms in air conditioners (KRI), and development of precision fractionation kits for biological samples (Prophenix).




We practice in the area of intellectual property law, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications, rendering opinions on patent validity, patent searching, patent counseling, assisting in patent litigation, translating patent and technical documents, IP consulting, registering copyrights, and providing in-house training for clients' technical staff. With our rich experience and knowledge on patent prosecution, we can suggest appropriate options for our clients, such as accelerated examination and oral interviews when needed.
We have extensive experience in a wide variety of technical areas including machines and devices, materials and chemistry, biotechnology, etc. Below is a detailed list of subject matters we are familiar with.

Machines and devices

Materials and chemistry
  • Plants, Pipe equipment
  • Manufacturing equipment
  • Automotive
  • Solar cells, Fuel cells
  • Analyzers, Testers
  • Image display and formation devices
  • Medical devices
  • Sensors
  • Polymers, Resins
  • Glasses
  • Metals
  • Organic/inorganic composite materials
  • Catalysts
  • Electronic materials
  • Batteries
  • Porous materials
Biotechnology
Other areas
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Microbial technology
  • Biosensors
  • Genetically modified plants and animals
  • Agricultural chemicals
  • Fermentation technology
  • Health food
  • Business methods
  • Everyday items
  • Sporting goods
  • Novelties
  • Health-enhancing goods
  • Fiber products
  • Cosmetics
  • Toys