The team at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is known for its ‘superb knowledge’ of  a range of real estate transactions. The group consists of a number of non-Japanese-qualified lawyers which strengthens its cross-border capabilities, with the group regularly advises foreign investors on their inbound real estate investments. Tetsuya Itoh advises on real estate development transactions and the formation of real estate funds across the residential, hotel and logistics sectors. Hikaru Naganuma has deep M&A expertise, advising on the acquisition of real estate holding companies as well as acting as counsel to J-REITs. The team has an established position in the J-REIT market, with Minoru Kobayashi has extensive experience in J-REIT-related matters, particularly in relation to global offerings of J-REITS, which is also structured finance expert Ken Kobayashi's area of expertise.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is praised by clients for its 'abundant' knowledge and experience of real estate and capital markets related issues, with the highly experienced team exhibiting expertise across the full spectrum of real estate issues, from development and acquisition to leasing and divestment. The firm also leverages its international strength to advise Japanese clients looking to develop or acquire properties overseas. Real estate financing is another key focus area for the team, with practice head Eriko Ozawa advising numerous private real estate funds on investments. Satoru Hasumoto has deep expertise in all forms of financial regulation, while Fuyuki Uchitsu contributes to the team’s security token offerings capabilities. The firm’s strong capital markets practice bolsters the team’s J-REIT offering, with Masahito Saeki having broad knowledge of both Japan and ASEAN REIT markets. The 'outstanding' Takahiro Sato regularly advises private REITs, J-REITs and listed infrastructure funds.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu’s real estate practice maintains a strong reputation for handling a broad array of real estate transactions in Japan, including M&A and investments in properties overseas. Practice head Shunpei Tanaka counts major real estate companies among his clients, frequently advising on the establishment of sponsored J-REITS. Kenji Utsumi also regularly represents both listed and unlisted J-REITs, and both Hiroto Inoue and Junji Yamanaka are experienced in advising on J-REIT formation. The team advises new entrants into the Japanese real estate sector, with Mami Ikebukuro assisting clients with their first investments into the Japanese real estate market. The group has experienced growth in the hotel sector, with a key focus of Yoshihisa Watanabe’s practice being the acquisition of hotels and hotel development projects, while Yoshinobu Koyama regularly advises clients on hotel management agreements. Shinichiro Horaguchi regularly handles domestic real estate transactions and overseas development projects, and Makoto Saito regularly represents both national and international investment funds.

Nishimura & Asahi’s broad practice, led by Yoshihiko Kawakami, spans both financing and development matters within the sector. In addition to sale and purchase, and leasing and management issues, the team advises on large-scale developments. The group notably advises a varied client base of Japanese mega banks, financial institutions and both domestic and foreign investment banks. Hiroshi Niinomi regularly assists builders, developers and lenders with their real estate transactions, while Yoshiaki Ikeda advises both private REITs and J-REITs on Japanese real estate transactions. Norio Maeda is known for assisting foreign investors entering the Japanese real estate market, and Takuya Shimizu works with international financial institutions and funds. The real estate group works closely with the firm’s Singapore-based construction team, led by Shintaro Uno and supported by Natalie Yap, which handles construction disputes and represents Japanese construction companies across Southeast Asia.

Yoshiyasu Yamaguchi leads the broad real estate and construction practice at TMI Associates, which displays deep bench strength in structured financing. The firm regularly advises on domestic, inbound and outbound real estate investments, and counts domestic and foreign sponsors, lenders, trustees and REITs among its clients. The group also handles a variety of construction matters, including schemes such as PFI/PPP. Along with real estate finance specialist Hideaki Kurauchi, Arito Ogoshi contributes in-depth knowledge of financial regulations, advising on transactions across the hotel, logistics and data centre sectors. The construction team also handles a range of contentious matters, with Yu Tomita acting in a range of disputes and lawsuits. Mizuki Koshimoto is noted for his broad knowledge of the development and structuring of various renewable energy projects.

Kohtaro Tamura, an expert in real estate transactions and securitisation, leads the real estate and construction team at Ushijima & Partners. The group has 'outstanding experience and knowledge' of real estate transactions, advising clients on the full range of matters within the sector. Naoki Hieda is particularly skilled in the drafting of sale and purchase, lease and construction agreements. With a strong background in finance matters Hiroki Awahara has a wealth of experience in real estate investment and finance transactions, while Masahiro Shiotani has deep expertise in securitisation. The team is noted for its cross-border capabilities, with Nao Makita advising both foreign and domestic, investors, banks and funds. Makita also has experience in real estate-related disputes, particularly in relation to leases, land pollution and construction.

Russell Kawahara leads the real estate financing and development team at Atsumi & Sakai, which advises a range of clients across the real estate sector, and is particularly active in the logistics space. Drawing on the firm’s international network, the team is able to advise foreign clients such as real estate investors and funds and represents offshore REITs, as well as J-REITs, in the formation of investment funds. Takafumi Uematsu plays a key role in the team and has extensive experience in advising both domestic and international asset managers and investment funds.

City-Yuwa Partners has 'specialists in every field' that offer 'unique and invaluable' advice across the real estate and construction sectors. The team, co-led by Shigeaki Itoh and Junko Hirakawa, represents both Japanese companies and foreign clients. ‘Standout‘ partner Masamichi Sakamoto counts foreign investment funds, international hotel brands, real estate asset managers and banks among his clients. Hirosato Nabika advises on numerous construction and procurement projects both in Japan and overseas, in addition to assisting clients with matters that arise post-transaction. Practice co-head Yoshiko Koizumi specialises in dispute prevention and resolution, and in recall and product liability on an international level, and Hiroaki Matsunaga has experience in disputes concerning domestic construction matters. ODA projects are another area of focus for the team, with Yoshitada Ogiso handling financing issues, and Koji Matsuda handling infrastructure matters.

Kaynex Law Offices provides comprehensive advice to its diverse list of clients, which includes international, as well as domestic, real estate funds, asset management companies and banks. 'Standout lawyer' Eiichi Nagai leads the team, maintaining a broad practice covering all aspects of real estate transactions from investment, to development and construction. Nagai also has expansive experience in advising lenders on real estate financing. Aya Kurahashi is a key name of note within the team and Makoto Fujii handles a broad range of issues relating to real estate investment and lending.

The team at Tsubame Law Offices has broad expertise, handling a variety of mandates involving development, financing, and asset and property management. Atsuko Kissho is a real estate financing specialist, who is particularly adept at advising on mezzanine finance transactions. Takumi Fukuda advises a number of banks on real estate financing transactions, while Yasuhiro Shimada has expansive expertise in trust ABL real estate financing transactions. Known for having regulatory and transactional knowledge Yasuko Tsuchihashi regularly assists banks and asset management companies.