Natsuko Sugihara > Clifford Chance > Tokyo, Japan > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance‘s corporate M&A team is co-led by Natsuko Sugihara and Michihiro Nishi and regularly works with the firm’s network of international lawyers to assist with the full spectrum of corporate matters. Sugihara, who is qualified in England and Wales as well as Japan, is a key name for fund investments and establishments. Nishi has a particular focus on domestic M&A, as well as public company deals, corporate governance work, and disclosure issues. The practice also covers both inbound and outbound transactions, alongside merger filings, due diligence, and M&A transactions connected to matters involving intellectual property, real estate, and employment issues, among others. Associates Shunsuke Nagae and Masafumi Shikakura are recommended for their expertise in joint ventures and renewable energy M&A matters respectively.

Housing a strong and ‘knowledgeable’ team, Clifford Chance is well-positioned to advise foreign clients investing in the Japanese market, and has experienced growth in data centre and logistics related matters, in addition to mandates concerning assets from the hotel and hospitality industries. The group also advises on a number of significant infrastructure transactions and projects within the construction space. Eiichi Kanda, who co-leads the practice, specialises in asset management, joint venture and securitisation issues. The team also assists with asset acquisitions and divestments and private equity transactions, and Leng-Fong Lai advises sponsors and financiers on real estate investment and financing transactions, including mezzanine and hybrid financing. Practice co-head Yoshiaki Shimizu, who specialises in real estate finance, investment and development, was promoted to partner in May 2023, and Natsuko Sugihara specialises in handling private equity and M&A transactions. Hans Menski contributes his expertise in projects, with particular emphasis on the development and financing of power, infrastructure, and oil and gas projects.

Clifford Chance‘s Tokyo-based antitrust team benefits from the firm’s global network, with clients able to access antitrust advice in Europe, US, and Asia. EU competition law and anti-monopoly expert Masafumi Shikakura leads the team, which is proficient in cartel investigations, merger filings, market investigations and sector inquiries, and cases relating to misuse of market power. Experienced M&A lawyer Natsuko Sugihara regularly works with the team.

The ‘exceptional‘ projects and energy team at Clifford Chance advises clients across both inbound and outbound projects. Practice co-head Yusuke Abe focuses on inbound investments, bringing a particular expertise in renewables and infrastructure projects, while outbound matters are primarily handled by ‘responsive and experienced‘ co-head Hans Menski, who specialises in the development and financing of power and energy, infrastructure and oil and gas projects. The group noted the continued push into the offshore wind space, as well as access to critical minerals becoming a growing trend within the sector. The practice sports a full-service development and finance offering, from advice on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters to arbitration and dispute resolution: Natsuko Sugihara and Michihiro Nishi have a particular focus on domestic and cross-border M&A matters and private equity transactions. Bolstered by the integrated regional and global projects team, the group advises Japanese and foreign investors and sponsors, as well as international financial institutions, commercial banks and government entities. The group also has a strong team of counsel, including Masafumi Shikakura and Suguru Kimura. Akihiko Takamatsu left the firm in March 2023.