People
Norikazu Otaki
DT Legal Japan, Attorney-at-law
Practice
Norikazu Otaki joined DT Legal Japan in April 2023. In his role, he focuses on general corporate legal affairs issues including crisis management, compliance, white collar defense and investigations, and cybersecurity.
Prior to joining DT Legal Japan, he served over 17 years as a prosecutor. His work centered around international investigations of complex crimes such as foreign corruption, cartel activities, securities fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime.
He has also held prominent positions such as the Legal Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in the United States and an attorney at the Office of International Affairs in the Ministry of Justice. In these roles, he handled numerous mutual legal assistance and extradition requests, working closely with various international authorities, including the US Department of Justice.
Professional Experience
2005-2008 District Public Prosecutors Offices (Tokyo, Osaka, Mito)
2008-2010 MOJ, Criminal Affairs Bureau; Japanese Government Long-Term Fellow
2010-2014 District Public Prosecutors Offices (Okayama, Tokyo, Yokohama, Sendai)
2014 MOJ, Criminal Affairs Bureau, Criminal Affairs Division
2015-2017 MOJ, Criminal Affairs Bureau, International Affairs Division
2017-2020 Embassy of Japan in the United States of America (Legal Attaché)
2020 Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Criminal Affairs Bureau, International Affairs Division (Japan’s Central Authority)
2021 Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, Cybercrime Chief
2022 Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, Special Investigation Division
2021-2023 Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, Japan Prosecutors Unit on Emerging Crimes (JPEC)
2023-present DT Legal Japan
Professional Qualification
Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association (2023)
Education
University of Tokyo Faculty of Law (LL.B., 2003)
The George Washington University Law School (LL.M., 2009)
Languages
Japanese and English
Publication
- Report on the Effectiveness of Whistleblowing Systems in Corporate Fraud, commissioned by Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of Japan (co-author, 2024)