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.

The practice at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP represents leading Japanese blue-chip issuers, amongst others, and is well-known for its abilities advising on major IPOs and secondary offerings. The team excels in handling global follow-on equity offerings and 144A and Regulation S debt offerings. Jon Gray spearheads the team and is deeply knowledgeable on both debt and equity offerings. Alongside Gray at the helm are key practitioner Christopher Kodama, and Chihiro Sasaki who is adept at advising on SEC-registered and private offerings in the Japanese and US capital markets.

Linklaters‘ team’s workload includes advising its clientele on transactions involving debt, equity, derivatives, securitisation and repackaging aspects. The practice is formed of specialists who are active across the full spectrum of structured products. International and investment banks turn to Peter Frost who is experienced assisting with bond and loan-related transactions in particular. Motoyasu Fujita is a key practitioner, noted for his expertise in derivatives. Kenneth Lam assists clients with cross-border derivatives transactions, providing support on the structuring front. The three co-head the team. Kosuke Miyashita is another notable individual.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s team is recognised for its capabilities advising on major IPOs across a variety of sectors, including tech, manufacturing and transportation. The team is helmed by Takahiro Saito who is well-equipped to handle complex mandates, including advising on the IPO public filings with novel aspects. David Snowden advises on significant securities offerings for both Japanese issuers and international financial institutions. Alan Cannon retired from the team in 2024.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP‘s Tokyo team is adept at advising on IPO listings and is well-regarded for its expertise in handling start-up IPOs in particular. Noted for his ‘strong track-record’, Kenji Taneda heads up the team and is active in advising on major IPOs across a breadth of industries, from tech to aerospace. The 'exceptional' Ken Kiyota assists issuers and underwriters on the full gamut of equity and debt capital markets transactions.

Morrison Foerster‘s ‘diligent’ group assists with the range of capital markets matters, with particular command of Rule 144A and Regulation S-related issues. Jesse Gillespie and Mitsutoshi Uchida co-lead the team; Gillespie specialises in global debt offerings and is well-equipped to advise major Japanese companies in their accessing international capital markets, while Uchida is well-versed in Japanese securities law and is praised for his ‘deep understanding of products’.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP's team's expertise includes acting as issuer’s counsel across both equity and bond offerings, and serving its broad array of clients on IPOs and other complex transactions. Securities offering transaction specialist Keiji Hatano co-leads the team alongside Nirav Mehta who is a trusted name for major issuers in particular. The team is noted as being 'well-versed in international financial markets'.

Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)‘s Tokyo team provides its clientele with advice on cross-border stock and bond-related mandates. It also harnesses deep expertise in samurai bonds. Practice head Seiji Matsuzoe is experienced advising on structured finance transactions using derivatives, and is an expert in domestic and overseas capital markets regulatory and filing requirements. Hiroki Watanabe comes recommended for his knowledge of security regulations.