Jones Day > Tokyo, Japan > Firm Profile

Jones Day Offices

Jones Day
The Okura Prestige Tower
2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku
Japan
105-0001
Japan
Visit website 81 3 3433 3939 81 3 5401 2725

Jones Day > The Legal 500 Rankings

Japan > Antitrust and competition: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

The team at Jones Day is headed up by Hiromitsu Miyakawa, who brings more than 20 years’ experience in antitrust and competition work. The practice offers counsel on cartel prosecutions, government investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance matters, and general compliance advice, to a client base which ranges from manufacturers, telecom companies, retailers, and service providers. Associate Chizuru Yoshida is adept at providing merger filing analysis and antitrust regulatory cases.

Practice head(s):

Hiromitsu Miyakawa

Other key lawyers:

Chizuru Yoshida

Key clients

Jensen-Group NV

Work highlights

  • Represented Jensen-Group NV in its transaction with Miura Co. Limited, including conducting due diligence from an antitrust perspective and analysing the need for merger filings.

Japan > Corporate and M&A: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

The department at Jones Day is experienced in assisting clients in a range of corporate matters, such as cross-border transactional matters, joint ventures, business restructurings, M&A deals, buyouts and reorganisations, among other matters. Practice head Chris Ahern leads the team from Sydney and has expertise in the energy and technology sectors, while Benjamin O. Lang is experienced in advising clients in the life sciences sector for both M&A and licensing transactions. Yuichiro Mori is another key contact. Stephen DeCosse departed in October 2023.

Practice head(s):

Chris Ahern

Other key lawyers:

Benjamin O. Lang; Yuichiro Mori

Testimonials

‘Jones Day’s M&A teams can work globally in a united manner.’

‘Steve DeCosse is the key lawyer in Tokyo. He knows what clients need, coordinates with all relevant experts within Jones Day, and he is always responsive to clients.’

‘The team understands client business deeply as well as proposing relevant legal expertise and knowledge around the sector.’

‘Yuichiro Mori, partner, is the contact for us and the one who is responsive and flexible in proposing solutions with understanding our needs. He also has rich and broad experience in many areas.’

‘Their people are well experienced and have deep understanding of their expertise. Although the team was selected from Jones Day’s multiple offices and practical areas, they collaborated well with each other and gave us seamless communications.’

‘They have lots of experience and well understand business industries and internal processes within a company.’

‘Jones Day has many unique lawyers who can give the clients professional and kind legal support based on their experiences.’

‘Benjamin O. Lang can give Japanese clients necessary support based on his M&A experiences as well as his fluent Japanese language skills. He can easily give the clients advice because he has a good sense from both a Japanese and US perspective.’

Key clients

DIC Corporation

ENEOS Corporation

IMCD

Jensen-Group NV

Macquarie Capital Securities

Marelli Holdings Co.

Marubeni Corporation

PAG

Pepper Money Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Marubeni Corporation on its sale of the global grain business of Gavilon Agriculture Investment, Inc. to Viterra Limited following a reorganization of Gavilon’s structure and spinoff of Gavilon’s fertilizer and certain other business operations.
  • Advised PAG on its acquisition of the Japanese subsidiary of First Solar, which includes Japanese solar projects as well as the Japanese O&M and development businesses of First Solar.
  • Advised PAG on its acquisition of a large portfolio of solar power facilities in Japan (with the aggregate output of approximately 250MW) from BlackRock, including advice on related arrangements with the sponsor and project finance lender.

Japan > Intellectual property: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

With a broad IP practice and a focused local practice in Japan, Jones Day is well placed to advise across a range of industries with particular expertise in the life sciences and technology sector. The team is led by Michiru Takahashi, a principal expert in domestic trade marks practice in Japan. Takahashi is joined by Shogo Asaji, a bilingual practitioner, who uses his engineering background to advise on multi-jurisdictional dispute matters.

Practice head(s):

Michiru Takahashi

Other key lawyers:

Shogo Asaji

Testimonials

‘The Japanese team is well versed in representing US clients and works as an integrated partnership with the US and European teams. It is very convenient to work with a team that has that level of global coordination and that also understands the US mentality. Jones Day has a coordinated billing approach so that one main partner reviews all the bills globally to ensure that the team is consistent.’

‘I have worked closely with Shogo Asaji for many years on projects ranging from IP advice, PTE prosecution, pre-litigation analysis and other areas. He is attentive to detail, very responsive, understands how to present to US companies, and is a tremendous liaison between US companies and Japanese counsel.’

Key clients

Dell Inc.

Educational Testing Service

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Kiss Nail Products, Inc.

NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ricoh USA, Inc.

Sunkist Growers, Inc.

The Noco Company

Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd

Wikimedia Foundation Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advises Dell in connection with trade mark matters in Japan, including trade mark application, prosecution, clearance, counselling and dispute matters.
  • Advised Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. with drafting and negotiating a license agreement with Nogra Pharma Ltd. with regard to the pharmaceuticals for the treatment of acne in Japan.
  • Defended Ricoh USA, Inc. in a series of patent infringement suits filed by a non-practicing entity, Midwest Athletics and Sports Alliance in the United States.

Japan > Projects and energy: International firms and joint ventures Tier 3

In collaboration with its teams around the world, Jones Day’s Tokyo-based projects and energy practice is able to advise on inbound, outbound and domestic transactions. With a particular focus on downstream renewable energy projects, practice head Katsumi Shirai advises international financial institutions and investment funds and multinational corporations. The team is active in the offshore wind area and also noted a recent forward push in the geothermal space. Lukas Kratochvil has played a leading role in the group’s work on geothermal projects and his expertise spans the energy sector, including mining and the entire oil and gas value chain. With the support not only from the firm’s global network, but also from the Bengoshi lawyers in the Japan office, the team’s capabilities extend to support its energy clients across a variety of practice areas, including dispute resolution and bankruptcy.

Practice head(s):

Katsumi Shirai

Other key lawyers:

Lukas Kratochvil

Testimonials

‘The team has strong expertise in the energy industry and provides us with practical solutions considering business needs.’

‘The team has a great knowledge and practice, which help us for documentations and financings.’

‘Shirai has outstanding knowßhow in this field. We trust him for helping us in many projects.’

‘Experienced.‘

‘Shirai in charge is experienced.’

Key clients

GF Corporation

Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) Limited

PAG

Pepper Money Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising PAG on its acquisition of the Japanese subsidiary of First Solar, which includes Japanese solar projects as well as the Japanese O&M and development businesses of First Solar.
  • Advising Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) Limited on its sell-out transaction of an existing Matsukawa mega solar project.
  • Advising GF on the mega solar PV project in Kanoya Osaki in Kagoshima.

Japan > Real estate and construction: International firms and joint ventures Tier 3

Jones Day’s real estate team maintains its stellar reputation for handling outbound matters and real estate disputes, whilst advising Japanese clients on cross-border transactions across the US, Europe and Southeast Asia. The group also acts for a diverse international client base of foreign banks in real estate financing mandates, in addition to assisting foreign real estate funds with entry the Japanese market via TMK and GK/TK schemes. In addition to downstream real estate transactions, practice head Katsumi Shirai focuses on the real estate aspects of renewable energy projects, including solar power generation.

Practice head(s):

Katsumi Shirai

Other key lawyers:

Chizuru Yoshida

Testimonials

‘The team in Japan is very efficient and quick in responses. Almost in a matter of a moment, the team leader will respond to my questions and request for consultations.’

‘The team (particularly the team leader) has deep knowledge of Japanese business customs and regulations as well as some major players’ nature of actions and trends in the market.’

‘Particularly in cases heavily influenced by financial regulations in Japan, Katsumi Shirai and his team are always assisting us with both writing and oral communications. They are also quite quick with responses to those requests.’

Key clients

GF Corporation

Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) Limited

PAG

Pepper Money Limited

Work highlights

  • Advising GF Corporation on its legal feasibility analysis of an offshore wind power project off the coast of Tokushima Prefecture.
  • Advising Macquarie Capital Securities (Japan) Limited on its sell-out transaction of an existing Matsukawa mega solar project and providing vendor due diligence work on the project.
  • Advising PAG on its investment in a real estate holding corporation for bridge financial needs.

Japan > Tax: International firms and joint ventures Tier 3

Jones Day’s tax team fields a full-service tax practice, with regular collaboration with other teams at the firm including the M&A, real estate and IP departments. Koichi Inoue, who leads the practice, is experienced in representing taxpayers in complex tax litigation, as well as advising on the tax aspects of restructurings and transactions. Working alongside him is of counsel Kyosuke Katahira, who is a key contact for international tax matters, such as cross-border transactions and transfer pricing issues. Fellow of counsel Taku Osawa is another name to note.

Practice head(s):

Koichi Inoue

Other key lawyers:

Kyosuke Katahira; Taku Osawa

Testimonials

‘They provide solution-oriented legal and tax services analysing actual and potential risks and taking into account both details and overall business necessities in order to bring optimal results to the client.’

‘Our main contact is Koichi Inoue, who is a dedicated lawyer possessing strong international tax knowledge based on his understanding of corporate tax law. He also provides many ideas for tax planning based on in-depth knowledge and wide experience.’

‘Koichi Inoue is an expert in international taxation, tax treaties and tax litigation, and has a number of successful cases. Under Koichi Inoue, Kyosuke Katahira has expertise in international taxation and the second pillar, corporate taxation, while Taku Osawa has expertise in transfer pricing taxation.’

‘Koichi Inoue is well versed in Japanese tax law, particularly international taxation and tax treaties. Specifically, when dissolving an intermediary holding company last year, he immediately pointed out points to be aware of under tax treaties between Japan and certain countries and gave advice on how to prevent taxation risks.’

‘Jones Day are real professionals with deep knowledge in legal matters related with international taxation. They are very much reliable as their opinions are based on related laws and logically established.’

‘They are true professionals in legal matters. Mr. Koichi Inoue and Mr. Kyosuke Katahira are outstanding and men of character.’

Jones Day > Firm Profile

The firm: Jones Day is a global law firm with more than 2,400 lawyers in 40 offices across five continents. The firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs.

Jones Day is an institutional partner for clients who seek counsel that seeks to understand them and their needs; that communicates with clients about their needs and the different tactics available for addressing those needs; that works seamlessly and impressively across offices and practices and with the client; that provides talent and expertise across subject areas and geographies; and that brings commitment and courage to the relationship and its engagements. We are formidable because every partner and every client has the entire global institution at their command and is a high priority of the firm as a whole. We are true partners, with each other and, even more importantly, with our clients.

Regions of practice
Asia-Pacific: Jones Day has committed substantial resources and capacity to serve each of Asia’s distinct markets, including China, Japan, Singapore and Southeast Asia, as well as Australia. Spread throughout ten offices in the region, the firm’s more than 180 lawyers represent clients in practice areas including antitrust, banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and commercial, energy, global disputes, intellectual property, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate, and several others.

The majority of Jones Day’s Asia-based lawyers are admitted to practice local law in their home jurisdictions. Most have practiced in more than one country, enabling Jones Day’s Asia team to render multijurisdictional legal services. Jones Day has been granted a Qualifying Foreign Law Practice license (QFLP) in Singapore.

United States: Surveys repeatedly list Jones Day as one of the most frequently engaged law firms by US corporations for both transactional and disputes matters, and among the leaders in client service. Jones Day’s more than 1,500 lawyers across its 18 US offices collaborate to serve clients across practices and geographies on all major matters that span time-honored practices (antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and government regulation) to more recently established and expanded areas (cybersecurity, life sciences, energy, and technology) that specifically address the contemporary challenges of an increasingly complex global business and legal environment.

Europe and Middle East: Jones Day provides a significant presence in Europe that offers clients more than 575 lawyers from its European offices in Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, and Paris. The firm’s lawyers counsel clients in administrative and public law, banking and finance, capital markets, competition law and regulatory, derivatives, market infrastructures, dispute resolution, and investigations.

In the Middle East, the firm’s Dubai-based lawyers have accumulated significant experience in most of the region’s key industries and jurisdictions, advising on mergers and acquisitions and corporate transactions, projects and infrastructure, commercial transactions, real estate and construction matters, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution.

Latin America: Jones Day is one of the leading global law firms serving the Latin American region through its offices in Mexico City and São Paulo, along with attorneys based in key business and legal centers such as New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, and Madrid. Jones Day’s Latin American experience extends to mergers and acquisitions, investigations and anti-corruption, projects and infrastructure, banking and finance, energy, dispute resolution, business restructuring, private equity and capital markets.

Managing partner: Gregory M. Shumaker
Asia-Pacific offices: Beijing, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo
US offices: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Irvine, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C.
Europe and Middle East offices: Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris
Latin America offices: Mexico City, São Paulo

Main areas of practice:

  • Antitrust and competition law
  • Business and tort litigation
  • Business restructuring and reorganization
  • Cybersecurity, privacy and data protection
  • Employee benefits and executive compensation
  • Energy
  • Financial markets
  • Global disputes
  • Government regulation
  • Health care and life sciences
  • Insurance recovery
  • Intellectual property
  • Investigations and white-collar defense
  • Issues and appeals
  • Labor and employment
  • M&A
  • Private equity
  • Real estate
  • Securities litigation and SEC enforcement
  • State Attorney General enforcement, investigations and litigation
  • Tax
  • Technology

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Gregory M. Shumaker