IBA Honorary Life Membership awarded to Kimitoshi Yabuki
Friday 3 July 2026
Kimitoshi Yabuki has been awarded the IBA Honorary Life Membership for his long-standing commitment to the Association. Having been a member for almost 30 years, Mr Yabuki has held numerous senior positions within the IBA, serving variously on the Asia Pacific Regional Forum, the Antitrust Section, the Bar Issues Commission, the Rule of Law Forum, the Pro Bono Committee and the Management Board. His most recent position is as Advisor for the IBA Credentials Committee (2025-2026)
Claudio Visco, IBA President, commented: ‘Kimitoshi Yabuki exemplifies the very best of the International Bar Association. His generosity of time, expertise and leadership has enriched countless committees, conferences and initiatives, while fostering collaboration across jurisdictions and legal traditions. Honorary Life Membership is a fitting tribute to an IBA member whose dedication has left an enduring mark on both the Association and the international legal profession. On behalf of the IBA, I extend our sincere thanks to him for his extraordinary service.’
Mark Ellis, IBA Executive Director, remarked: ‘One of the major strengths of the International Bar Association lies in the commitment of members who willingly devote themselves to serving the profession beyond their own practices. Kimitoshi Yabuki has done so with distinction over almost thirty years, contributing with wisdom, integrity and a genuine commitment to the Association. It is fitting that his steadfast commitment to the values of the IBA is recognised with the well-deserved honour of Honorary Life Membership.’
Outside the IBA, Mr Yabuki acts as Managing Partner of Yabuki Law Offices in Tokyo, Japan, specialising in international and domestic antitrust and litigation practice. He is also President of the Japan Competition Law Forum, the largest organisation of antitrust lawyers in Japan, and was the Chairperson of the Asia Competition Association from 2015-2016
Mr Yabuki is the co-author of several legal books and has written numerous articles on antitrust. He was also a professor of antitrust law at the Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy from 2010-2018
The IBA Honorary Life Membership is awarded to those who have made an outstanding and unique contribution to the work of the IBA. Honorary Life Members sit on the IBA Council and enjoy the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as individual members
