Clifford Chance > Tokyo, Japan > Firm Profile

Clifford Chance > The Legal 500 Rankings

Japan > Banking and finance: International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

Clifford Chance‘s practice is lauded by clients for its ‘client-friendly‘ approach, ability to advise ‘from a client’s point of view‘, and for providing clients with the ‘latest updates in the sector using their world-wide network‘. Team head Yusuke Abe is especially known for his expertise in cross-border and domestic project finance, as well as ECA and M&A financings. Working alongside Abe is Hans Menski, who is a key contact for project financings in the energy, oil and gas sectors; and ‘friendly‘ senior associate Yosuke Nomura, who has extensive experience in aircraft finance matters. Other work the practice undertakes includes LIBOR transitions, complex syndicated financings, regulatory advice, and real estate and development financings.

Japan > Capital markets: International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

The well-renowned capital markets team at Clifford Chance is lauded by clients as 'one of the best UK law firms in Japan', and complimented for its 'practical advice' on real estate asset acquisitions, innovative asset backed financing, and public convertible bonds. Leng-Fong Lai, who is dual qualified in England and Wales and Singapore, leads the team, regularly advising hedging providers, trustees, sponsors, and banks. The group is known for assisting clients with international debt cases, medium-term notes, and equity capital markets products, areas in which Reiko Sakimura has a great deal of knowledge. Key members within the practice also include Eiichi Kanda and of counsels Chihiro Ashizawa, Hajime Saito, and Matthew Ball.

Japan > Fintech - International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

The ‘expert advice’ provided at Clifford Chance encompasses handling M&A, financial regulation issues and financings. The team is well versed in the technological aspect of fintech and frequently advises on issues such as blockchain, smart contracts and artificial intelligence work. Clients range from international and Japanese financial institutions to hi-growth fintech start-ups. Yusuke Abe steers the practice and is a key contact for matters involving derivatives transactions. Reiko Sakimura has longstanding experience in advising on international debt and equity capital market mandates. Michihiro Nishi is a key driver behind the transactional fintech expertise at the firm, while Eiichi Kanda is well placed to advise on the newly established ICO regulations in Japan. Capital markets expert Chihiro Ashizawa is another name to note.

Japan > Real estate and construction: International firms and joint ventures Tier 1

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.

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

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.

Japan > Dispute resolution: International firms and joint ventures Tier 2

With ‘a diverse network of specialists’, Clifford Chance is often engaged in international arbitration, with a particular focus on the infrastructure, energy, resources, and construction sectors. Peter Harris heads the team and is adept in matters concerning international commercial and Investor-State arbitration, while Mohsun Ali excels in Investor–state dispute settlement arbitration.

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

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.

Japan > Antitrust and competition: International firms and joint ventures Tier 3

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.

Vietnam > Foreign desks

Clifford Chance’s Vietnam focus group, operating principally from the firm’s Singapore office, offers considerable combined experience in structuring and implementing transactions in the country. The practice has a well-established relationship with leading local law firm, VILAF, as well as with Vietnamese local authorities, including MOF and MOJ. The group is jointly led by finance partner Fergus Evans, specialising in banking, asset finance, and leasing matters, and projects practice co-head Ross Howard, with expertise advising sponsors and lenders in relation to the financing of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. Tokyo-based projects lawyer Hans Menski works closely with practitioners at VILAF to advise clients on their Vietnamese investments. Valerie Kong, managing partners of the firm’s Singapore office and member of the Asia Pacific Leadership Group, regularly handles high-profile M&A deals involving companies based in Vietnam.