Clifford Chance is one of the port of calls for major international and domestic financial institutions, private equity sponsors, borrowers and corporates. The team’s expertise covers a wide range of financings, including syndicated lending, acquisition finance, leveraged facilities, and project finance. Acting as the sole legal adviser to the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association, the group has recently been busy with LIBOR transition matters. With specialised expertise in M&A, project and asset finance, Yusuke Abe leads the department, which includes Hans Menski, a key contact for finanncings of cross-border projects in the energy, infrastructure and oil and gas sectors. Another name to note is counsel Akihiko Takamatsu.

With ‘a strong track record in mid- and large-cap deals’, White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) houses ‘a very strong and highly reputable finance team‘, which is recognised as ‘a go-to practice for multiple PE firms’ seeking advice on LBOs. Active on both lender and borrower-sides, the groups handles acquisition, leveraged and structured financings as well as restructurings and regulatory matters. Acting on high-profile cross-border transactions, including large buyouts and M&A financings, is Zenya Onishi, who overseas the practice. Clara Shirota, who is qualified in New York, Hong Kong and England, is a key contact for sponsor-side deals, often advising private equity houses and their portfolio companies.

With a longstanding presence in Japan, Milbank‘s banking and finance is noted for its track record in handling large infrastructure and project finance transactions across the Americas, Asia and the EMEA region. Focusing on high-profile complex matters, the group typically acts for export credit agencies and major domestic and international financial institutions, including the Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank, BNP Paribas and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. With extensive experience in advising on complex asset and project finance transactions, Aled Davies overseas the team, which includes recently made partner Andrew Pendleton, who is noted for his expertise in the oil and gas and energy sectors, and associate Aaron Mundy.

Notable for its expertise in asset, vessel and project finance, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s Tokyo team is particularly active in the transport, energy, infrastructure and telecom segments. Another area of strength of the practice is corporate finance, including M&A financing, joint venture investments and IPOs. Acting for leading Japanese and international financial institutions, the group collaborates with firm’s network in the US, Europe and other parts of Asia to assist clients with complex cross-border matters. ‘Excellent partner’ George Gibson, who ‘has extensive experience in project finance deals’, heads up the department. Gibson works alongside Paul Coggins, who focuses on international shipping and offshore sectors.

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s Tokyo team is recognised for its notable strength in high-profile leveraged financing transactions, which makes it a popular choice for global private equity firms and their portfolio companies. The practice is particularly active in the telecom, asset management and life sciences industries and is jointly led by Tsuyoshi Imai and Ben Morris. With extensive experience in both M&A and private equity deals, Imai advises global sponsors on LBOs, senior and mezzanine loans, and refinancing transactions while Morris, who is highly regarded for his ‘skill and expertise in LBO financing deals’, often handles acquisition financings and restructuring for portfolio companies.

K&L Gates stands out for its wealth of experience in handling asset finance transactions, with a focus on the real estate, shipping, aviation and telecom sectors. The group is frequently sought after by airlines, lessors, financiers and export credit agencies to advise on JOLCO structures, bridge facilities and secured and unsecured loans. Specialised in aircraft finance, Robert Melson overseas the group, which includes Sebastian Smith, who is recommended for financing and capital markets transactions in the aviation and shipping space, asset finance expert Takahiro Kawaguchi, and counsel Eiko Grieger, who is noted for his experience in cross-border leasing matters.

Morrison Foerster‘s integrated multi-jurisdictional service offers domestic and international sponsors and senior and mezzanine lenders specialised expertise in cross-border acquisition finance transactions. With deep sectorial experience in tech, retail, life sciences, energy and financial services, the group focuses on project finance, derivatives transactions, regulatory matters and acquisition finance. The team of US-qualified and Japanese bengoshi practitioners is led by Akihiro Wani, who excels in IPOs, financial regulations and derivatives. Wani works alongside Keiko Yamazaki, who is recommended for real estate and M&A finance.

Focusing on the energy and natural resources and infrastructure sectors, Mayer Brown GJBJ‘s Tokyo team is prominent in the project finance space, where it frequently collaborates with the firm’s network in the UK, US and Singapore to advise Japanese sponsors, lenders and public authorities. With extensive experience in acting for export credit agencies, the group’s expertise spans syndicated lending, all types of secured and unsecured financing transactions, and vessel financing. The department is jointly led by managing partner Rupert Burrows, Shri Maski and former Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP practitioner Myles Mantle, who joined the firm in October 2021.

Squire Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho is renowned for its strong asset finance practice and its team of specialised practitioners, who handle the regulatory, corporate, tax and finance aspects of sales, purchases and leasing of aircrafts and vessels. The team’s expertise spans asset securitisation, sale-leasebacks, JOLCO transactions, cross-border leasing transactions, with its client list including banks, airlines, investors, and leasing companies. Leading the group is Hisao Hirose, who is noted for his expertise in structured finance transactions. Other key names include Asuka Fujita and Tomohiko Kamimura.