Kayuna Fukushima, PhD

Kayuna Fukushima is known for her data-intensive econometric and statistical analyses of competition and antitrust issues in support of expert economic testimony. With expertise in distilling compelling narratives from terabyte-scale complex data sets, she has contributed her analytical expertise in several high-profile big tech antitrust litigation cases, including In re Google Play Store Antitrust Litigation and Difederico v. Amazon. Whether tackling exclusionary conduct, most favored nation provisions, or platform self-preferencing, her work leverages the full arsenal of economic methodologies—such as causal inference techniques, structural demand models, and damage assessments—to deliver rigorous and impactful results.

In addition to her expertise in antitrust economics, Kayuna is fluent in Japanese—a valuable skill that uniquely positions her to interpret and convey the nuances found in data and documents arising from multi-jurisdictional antitrust cases involving Japanese companies.

As co-chair of the firm’s Data Science Committee, Kayuna plays an instrumental role in shaping the integration of cutting-edge data science and artificial intelligence tools across the firm's practices. She leads initiatives to empower her colleagues with forward-thinking technological solutions and regularly organizes internal forums to foster innovation and cross-disciplinary learning.

Beyond her economic consulting work, Kayuna has published her academic research in peer-reviewed journals such as Applied Economics and European Economic Review.

PhD, Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

MA, Economics, University of Tokyo, Japan

BS, Economics, University of Keio, Japan

SPOTLIGHT

Supported expert Doug Bernheim in Epic Games v. Google, Epic’s antitrust litigation related to Google’s app store practices. A jury returned a verdict in favor of Epic on all counts and all claims. Read more.

• Supported the expert providing analysis of the likely competitive effects of Nippon Steel Corporation's acquisition of U.S. Steel and helped with the Second Request.
• On behalf of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), supported the expert in analyzing the proposed $70 billion merger between Microsoft and video game publisher Activision Blizzard.
• Supported the expert in Epic Games v. Google, Epic’s antitrust litigation related to Google’s app store practices. A jury returned a verdict in favor of Epic on all counts and all claims.
• Supported the expert to submit initial and rebuttal reports in a Canadian class action litigation on behalf of plaintiffs who allege that online retail prices in Canada were inflated as a result of a most favored nation provision between Amazon and third-party sellers.
• Supported testifying expert in a large monopolization case in the tech industry regarding issues of market definition, market power, and competitive effects.

• Supported the expert providing analysis of the likely competitive effects of EnCap/XCL's acquisition of EP Energy and helped with the Second Request.

• On behalf of Thermo Fisher Scientific, supported the expert in analyzing the likely competitive effects of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.–Qiagen N.V. merger.
• On behalf of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., supported the expert in analyzing the likely competitive effects of Sinclair’s acquisition of regional sports networks originally owned by 21st Century Fox.
• On behalf of the Department of Justice (DOJ), assisted experts in the DOJ’s investigation of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed $3.9 billion deal to acquire Tribune Media.
• Supporting the consulting expert to the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), an agency created in 2012 to increase value and access in the delivery of healthcare. 

• On behalf of UnitedHealth’s health services subsidiary Optum in its acquisition of DaVita Medical Group, assisted the expert with presentations and submissions to the FTC and several state Attorney General offices addressing potential horizontal and vertical concerns arising from the proposed transaction.