Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)‘s practice in Tokyo advises on high-value debt and equity offerings, including Regulation S and international follow-on offerings. Advising on the structuring, underwriting, and issuance of bond offerings, including significant convertible bond offerings, are also areas of expertise of the team. Team lead Leng-Fong Lai handles transactions involving a broad spectrum of products, from collateralised notes to securitisations and covered bonds. Reiko Sakimura is reputed for her experience in matters regarding convertible bonds as well as green, social and sustainable euro-bonds. Hajime Saito advises international and domestic banks, as well as financial institutions, on complex OTC derivative repackaging transactions. Chihiro Ashizawa is known for advising non-Japanese issuers on samurai bond issues, and Matthew Ball also stands out.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I believe the team, in particular Reiko Sakimura, is highly trustworthy and reliable.’
‘I have great trust in Reiko Sakimura's passion, responsiveness and the advice she provides, which is backed by her strong track-record.’
‘The team provides professional advice in a timely manner. The team is friendly, and it is easy to access senior members. It is a diversified team and all of the team members are fluent in Japanese, so it is easy to communicate with the Japanese issuers.’
‘The team has a deep understanding of capital markets and Japanese markets, etc. The team is friendly, and it is easy to ask for prompt feedback and rational solutions are given. Fluent in English and Japanese.’
‘Reiko Sakimura and Matthew Ball are excellent lawyers, and their advice is quite helpful.’
‘The team has both breadth and depth, which is rare for this practice area in international firms in Tokyo.’
‘Good technical skills and at the same time personable and easy to work with.’
‘Hajime Saito, with his deep knowledge about derivatives and structured products, stands out as we are heavily dependent on his team's advice on global and international securities regulations.’
'The firm's Japan team has true integration/collaboration with the global network.'
Key clients
- Morgan Stanley
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Barclays
- Nomura
- SMBC Nikko
- Daiwa
- Mizuho
- Mitsubishi UFJ
- Crédit Agricole
- HSBC
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Work highlights
Advised the joint lead managers on a number of international bond issues by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, including its debut international issuance of sustainability bonds.
Advised the joint lead managers on the debut international offering and follow-on international offering of shares of common stock of GENDA Inc.
Advised Daiwa, Mizuho and others as joint lead managers on the debut international offering of USD-denominated bonds by Resona Bank, Limited.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners: Gaiben
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates: Bengoshi
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Leng-Fong Lai
Other key lawyers
Reiko Sakimura; Hajime Saito; Chihiro Ashizawa; Matthew Ball