A&O Shearman‘s Tokyo-based group harnesses considerable experience in the energy, infrastructure and finance sectors, amongst others. The team’s comprehensive offering spans a broad range of transactional matters, including project finance, acquisition finance and leveraged finance mandates. Practice head Scott Neilson‘s workload includes assisting project sponsors and financiers in high-profile sustainability-linked finance matters. ‘Outstanding adviser’ Hitomi Komachi specialises in financing power, petrochemical, mining and LNG projects. Team changes include the February 2025 retirement of Matthias Voss, the September 2024 relocation of Xue Wang to the firm’s London office, and the October 2025 departure of Akira Takahashi.

Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)‘s offering assists banks, financial institutions, private equity funds and sponsors across the full spectrum of banking and finance mandates. Key areas of speciality across the team include handling acquisition, project, structured, and real estate finance transactions in both domestic and cross-border contexts. Practice head Shinichiro Kitamura is noted for his ‘extensive experience in the field of acquisition finance’, and advises therein on both the borrower and lender side. Fintech sector specialist Gavin Raftery represents both Japanese and international clients on transactional and regulatory matters. Pierre Chiasson is recommended for his experience advising arrangers and lenders in project finance contexts, while Naoaki Eguchi has expertise in PFI and PPP matters. Haruhiko Ogasawara is also a name to note.

Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)‘s team has capabilities advising on complex matters including those regarding syndicated financing, project finance, and bilateral and corporate loan transactions. The practice counts leading domestic and international financial institutions, blue-chips, private equity sponsors, borrowers and corporates amongst its clients. The team is led by Yusuke Abe who is active in inbound and outbound acquisition finance transactions as well as asset finance matters.  Hans Menski has a broad practice which covers advising on multi-source financings aspects of renewable power, petrochemicals, oil and gas, and mining projects, while Suguru Kimura assists clients with the regulatory banking cases.

White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association)‘s group harnesses expertise in acquisition and leveraged financing, structured financing, and financial regulatory matters. The team frequently advises on acquisition financing matters across industries ranging from renewable energy to tech. Clara Shirota‘s workload includes advising private equity firms on management buyouts and senior and mezzanine acquisition financings, with a focus on sponsor-side transactions. Leading the team alongside Shirota, Zenya Onishi is particularly active in domestic inbound leveraged finance mandates.

Milbank's team is highly regarded for its capabilities advising on project finance transactions, with particular expertise in the oil and gas, power and infrastructure sectors. The team draws on its global network to handle high-profile, global transactions, advising international lenders, ECAs and sponsors therein. Aled Davies heads up the team and leverages significant experience in project finance mandates in the LNG sector. Andrew Pendleton is especially well-versed in project restructurings, while Aaron Mundy assists clients with major project transactions.

Morrison Foerster‘s group regularly represents major Japanese banks in high-value acquisition finance and complex financial services regulatory matters. The team counts sponsors, senior lenders, and mezzanine lenders amongst its client base. A key area of focus for practice head Keiko Yamazaki is advising banks and mezzanine financing companies on acquisitions of both Japanese and foreign companies. New York-qualified Yukhi Asano is a project finance expert, while Reiko Omachi focuses on the regulatory aspects of cross-border financial transactions. Mitsutoshi Uchida brings considerable experience across a range of corporate transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s practice has capabilities handling the breadth of project and finance work, spanning an array of sectors including transport, energy, infrastructure and tech. The team’s roster of clients ranges from Japanese megabanks, to non-Japanese international commercial banks. George Gibson heads up the team and advises both lenders and sponsors on both project financing and refinancing issues. Paul Coggins is a maritime specialist with particular expertise in cross-border ship financing deals. Akihiko Takamatsu assists with international transport finance mandates.

Ropes & Gray LLP's Tokyo-based team specialises in advising on leveraged finance matters, complex structures, accordion facilities and intercreditor terms. Tsuyoshi Imai handles acquisition financing deals for major private equity firms and their portfolio companies, handling both senior and mezzanine packages. Imai co-heads the team alongside Ben Morris who is well-versed in financing and refinancing acquisition cases involving loan and equity products and multiple currencies.

King & Spalding‘s team is noted for its experience advising on cross-border project finance matters and transactions involving import and export loans. John McClenahan leads the team alongside Mark Davies. McClenahan leverages over significant experience handling the financing aspects of power generation and LNG projects in particular, while Davies has expertise advising on both project and asset finance transactions, particularly those related to conventional power projects.

Mayer Brown‘s Tokyo-based team draws on the firm’s wider expertise across its APAC offices to its clients on the array of matters, including those regarding structured finance, project finance, derivatives and aviation finance. Myles Mantle represents borrowers, sponsors, lenders, and export credit agencies on ship, trade and project finance transactions. Rupert Burrows helms the offering.

Paul Hastings LLP‘s offering, which frequently collaborates with the firm's New York office, is well-placed to assist a broad roster of clients, which includes commercial banks, trading companies and investment banks, on various banking and finance matters. Toshiyuki Arai helms the practice, co-leading on various high-value and cross-jurisdictional banking matters. Olga Belosludova is a key name in the team with experience in transactional matters and risk management.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP's dedicated aviation finance practice specialises in advising leading Japanese clients on the financing of aircrafts and engines. Olivia Matsushita leads the team and is relied upon by international financial institutions, leasing companies, investors and airlines.

PwC Legal Japan‘s practice covers advising on banking and finance regulatory matters as well as real estate finance and shipping finance transactions. Tomohiro Kandori advises on domestic and cross-border asset and real estate finance transactions. Makoto Hibi assists with the bank and payment regulations aspects of transactions.

The team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises on financings involving Japanese businesses, acting for elite investment management firms, amongst others. The team is led from Hong Kong by Makiko Harunari who is knowledgeable in advising on financial instruments at all levels of the capital structure.

Squire Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho's team has a niche in aviation finance, focusing on the purchase, sale and financing of aircraft and vessels. Practice head Hisao Hirose advises a range of clients in the aviation industry, from major banks and major airlines, to JOL and JOLCO investors and low-cost carriers. Asuka Fujita and Tomohiko Kamimura provide support on aircraft finance transactions.

Watson Farley & Williams (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho)‘s dedicated asset and structured finance practice is well-equipped to advise on aviation and maritime finance matters in particular. The team’s expertise in the transport sector encompasses a broad range of export, debt and leasing finance transactions. Its client list features financiers, lessors and operators of aircraft. Simon Collins and Keisuke Imon handle cross-border sale and leaseback transactions, and co-head the team. Shusuke Fukunaga continues to advise on major sales of aircraft.