Mori Hamada’s practice is highly regarded for advising both debtors and creditors, as well as financial advisors from various jurisdictions, on all aspects of Japanese bankruptcy and reorganisation proceedings. The practice is jointly led by Soichiro Fujiwara, known for handling innovative cases involving creative schemes such as full repayment of unsecured debts arising from commercial transactions and the use of company split mechanisms in restructuring; Ryota Yamasaki who brings wide-ranging experience in both out-of-court restructurings and court-led bankruptcy and restructuring processes; and Takahiro Inou who advises on both court-supervised proceedings and out-of-court workouts, including ADR and other schemes. Wataru Ishida has a strong track record in handling complex restructuring and insolvency matters for a high-profile domestic and international client base. Dai Katagiri is another key figure, specialising in restructuring, litigation, M&A and general corporate matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They demonstrate a strong grasp of stakeholder dynamics and excellent matter-coordination skills.'
- 'Their problem-solving capabilities are also outstanding.'
Key clients
- Copel Co., Ltd.
- J-Will Partners Co., Ltd. and ITOCHU Corporation
- Kasai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
- Advantage Partners Pte. Ltd.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Bengoshi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Takahiro Inou
Ryota Yamasaki
Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Wataru Ishida

Dai Katagiri
Practice head
Soichiro Fujiwara; Ryota Yamasaki; Takahiro Inou
Other key lawyers
Wataru Ishida; Dai Katagiri
