Norton Rose Fulbright > Tokyo, Japan > Firm Profile

Norton Rose Fulbright Offices

Norton Rose Fulbright
OTEMACHI FIRST SQUARE EAST TOWER 18F
1-5-1 OTEMACHI CHIYODA-KU
TOKYO 1000-0004
Japan
Visit website 81 3 5218 6800

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Japan > Banking and finance: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

Clients seeking assistance from the banking and finance team at Norton Rose Fulbright are able to receive advice on a variety of finance matters, including asset finance, corporate finance, and aviation finance work. The practice has been especially busy with restructuring transactions and LIBOR cases, as well as IPOs, joint venture financings, and project finance work, for which department head George Gibson is the name to note. Paul Coggins is adept at advising clients in offshore sectors and international shipping, with a specialism in financing ships using cross-border project and asset-based leasing and debt facilities. Akihiko Takamatsu joined the practice from Clifford Chance in February 2023.

Practice head(s):

George Gibson

Other key lawyers:

Akihiko Takamatsu; Paul Coggins

Testimonials

‘Client friendly, and a very good level of knowledge.’

‘They are eager to help even when our business proposal is at brainstorming stage, which is extremely important to us.’

‘Very patient and understand very well the interests of different stakeholders. I would highly recommend Akihiko Takamatsu.’

‘Deep knowledge of asset financing, not only within one area, but throughout the globe.’

‘Paul Coggins differentiates himself from others with his vast knowledge and understanding on the Japanese trading firms.’

‘Paul Coggins and his team are excellent. He and his team are dedicated in supporting our transactions.’

Key clients

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited

BNP Paribas

ING Bank

Japan Bank for International Cooperation

JERA

Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Mizuho Bank

MUFG Bank

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Co. Ltd.

Nippon Export and Investment Insurance

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha

ORIX Corporation

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

ITOCHU Corporation

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.

Tokyo Century Corporation

Japan > Projects and energy: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

Advising Japan-based clients on outbound energy and infrastructure projects is a particular strength of the team at Norton Rose Fulbright. The projects and energy practice provides a full-service offering, extending beyond project development and finance to include advice on corporate and M&A matters and dispute resolution. George Gibson, head of the firm’s Tokyo office, leads the team; his broad experience across a range of sectors sees the group advise on power, water, oil and gas, petrochemicals and nuclear projects. Paul Coggins focuses his practice on the international shipping and offshore sectors and has led the team on a number of LNG vessel matters. The firm has an extensive and varied client base, including ECAs, international banks and sponsors, and counsel Andrew Clarke advises Japanese corporate clients and utilities. The addition of Akihiko Takamatsu in February 2023 from Clifford Chance has strengthened the team’s advice inbound energy and infrastructure projects, with particular expertise in solar PV and renewable energy projects.

Practice head(s):

George Gibson

Other key lawyers:

Paul Coggins; Akihiko Takamatsu; Andrew Clarke

Testimonials

‘NRF has strong capability in new energy matters such as green and blue ammonia projects.’

‘The team is spread out to various cities in Australia and Japan, but using the online systems there is a good communication among the team members including ourselves.’

‘They are able to create a team with the appropriate expertise for each transaction throughout their global network. They also put legaltech into great use, efficiently managing large volume document review and transaction progress.’

‘Norton Rose are professional as to the legal matters and know well about the Japanese clients’ internal decision making process that helps us in negotiating with the counterpart because Norton Rose takes the timing of our internal decision making process into account.’

‘Andrew Clarke, has excellent communication skills that enable the clients to consult with him frankly. Also, he approaches the counterpart frequently with a relaxed manner to listen to the counterpart’s real concerns that make the negotiation efficient.’

‘George Gibson is an excellent coordinator, overseeing the entire team and regularly follows up for feedback to improve performance.’

‘Norton Rose Fulbright has an excellent network system between its offices. They always collaborate well with offices in other jurisdictions and the teamwork makes the project management efficient and good quality.’

‘George Gibson, always takes care of his team’s performance and manages them very well. Also, he knows when to respect commercial decisions and preferences so our management relies on his advice.’

Work highlights

  • Advising Chuden on a potential investment in OMC Power Private Limited through a subscription for new shares for 25% of the equity on a post-issuance basis.
  • Advising Shizen Energy on the $480bn investment by CDPQ in connection with accelerating the energy transition in Japan and key international markets, including development of solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and biomass power.
  • Advising Marubeni Corporation and Transelec Holdings Rentas Limitada as winning bidders in the tender by the National Copper Corporation of Chile (CODELCO) of a $1.2bn BOOT contract for the construction of a water desalination plant in Antofagasta, Chile.

Japan > Corporate and M&A: International firms and joint ventures Tier 4

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright advises clients on both inbound and outbound corporate M&A transactions, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector. Sam Inohara heads up the practice and is focused on cross-border M&A and joint ventures, with support provided from associate Andrew Clarke. Akihiko Takamatsu joined the practice from Clifford Chance in February 2023.

Practice head(s):

Sam Inohara

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Clarke; Akihiko Takamatsu

Key clients

Chubu Electric Power Co.

Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited

Mitsui & Co.

Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co.

Marubeni Corporation

JERA Storage Investment B.V.

Tokyo Gas Co.

Mizuho Marubeni Leasing Corporation

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company Limited

Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Chuden on a potential investment in OMC Power Private Limited through a subscription for new shares for 25% of the equity on a post-issuance basis.
  • Advised Shizen Energy, a renewable energy leader in Japan, on the JPY70bn investment by CDPQ in connection with accelerating the energy transition in Japan and key international markets, including development of solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power, and biomass power.
  • Continued to act for JERA Storage Investment B.V., JERA Co. and TEPCO Power Grid as regards to their continued investment in the UK battery storage developer and operator, Zenobe Energy Ltd.

Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile

The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

Areas of Practice: Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through our global risk advisory group, we leverage our industry experience with our knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide our clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.

Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg. For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com

Offices: We have offices in the world’s most important business, financial and regulatory centres and are active in strategically important growth markets. Our offices are located in Amsterdam, Athens, Austin, Bahrain, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Canberra, Cape Town, Casablanca, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Durban, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia), Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Minneapolis, Monaco, Montréal, Moscow, Munich, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, Piraeus, Port Moresby, Québec, Rio de Janeiro, Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm), San Antonio, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, St Louis, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Warsaw and Washington, DC. In Africa, we have alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Zimbabwe

Number of partners (worldwide): 1,000+
Number of other fee-earners (worldwide): 2,000+
Total staff: 7,500+

Global key contacts
Financial institutions: James Bateson
Energy: Anne Lapierre and John Mauel
Infrastructure, mining and commodities: Nick Merritt
Transport: Harry Theochari
Technology: Nick Abrahams
Life sciences and healthcare: Stacey Martinez and Randy Sutton

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Financial institutions
Energy
Infrastructure
Mining
Commodities
Transport
Technology
Innovation
Life sciences
Healthcare

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Paul Coggins photo Paul Coggins Paul is a banking and finance lawyer based in Tokyo, focusing on… View Profile
George Gibson photo George Gibson George Gibson is a banking, projects and export finance lawyer based in… View Profile
Sam Inohara photo Sam Inohara Sam Inohara is a corporate lawyer based in our Tokyo office. Sam’s… View Profile
Akihiko Takamatsu photo Akihiko Takamatsu Akihiko (Aki) Takamatsu is a partner based in our Tokyo office and… View Profile

Staff Figures

Number of lawyers : 4,000+

Other

Other offices : Abu Dhabi
Other offices : Almaty
Other offices : Amsterdam
Other offices : Athens
Other offices : Austin
Other offices : Bahrain
Other offices : Bangkok
Other offices : Cape Town
Other offices : Caracas
Other offices : Casablanca
Other offices : Dallas
Other offices : Dar es Salaam
Other offices : Denver
Other offices : Dubai
Other offices : Durban
Other offices : Frankfurt
Other offices : Hamburg
Other offices : Hong Kong
Other offices : Houston
Other offices : Jakarta (in association with Norton Rose Fulbright Australia)
Other offices : Johannesburg
Other offices : London
Other offices : Los Angeles
Other offices : Melbourne
Other offices : Milan
Other offices : Minneapolis
Other offices : Monaco
Other offices : Montréal
Other offices : Munich
Other offices : New York
Other offices : Ottawa
Other offices : Paris
Other offices : Perth
Other offices : Piraeus
Other offices : Port Moresby
Other offices : Québec
Other offices : Rio de Janeiro
Other offices : Riyadh (in association with Mohammed Al-Ghamdi Law Firm)
Other offices : San Antonio
Other offices : San Francisco
Other offices : Shanghai
Other offices : Singapore
Other offices : St Louis
Other offices : Sydney
Other offices : Tokyo
Other offices : Toronto
Other offices : Vancouver
Other offices : Warsaw
Other offices : Washington, DC
Other offices : alliances with firms in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Beijing, Bogota, Brisbane, Brussels, Calgary, Istanbul, Luxembourg, Mexico City, Sao Paulo.