Department profile
Mori Hamada

Banking & Finance: Domestic

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Japan


Mori Hamada

Rankings

About

Provided by Mori Hamada

Mori Hamada’s banking and finance practice group provides comprehensive services to a wide range of clients in a constantly evolving financial transactions scene. We advise leading financial institutions and major investors, Japanese and international, on the full range of financing transactions. Areas in which we are regularly active include corporate loans, structured finance, real estate finance, acquisition finance, mezzanine finance, intellectual property finance, venture debt, and derivatives.

In particular, our banking and finance team offers innovative advice on cutting-edge transactions and new financing structures. Our sizable team of lawyers is highly regarded for its experience and ability to find solutions to complex and novel issues. We focus on understanding our clients’ business objectives and finding the most efficient and cost-effective ways to meet their needs.

As a leading player in banking practice in Japan, we are also active in the development of relevant laws and regulations and the establishment of proper market practices. This is achieved through our lawyers’ participation in various committees, councils, forums and societies comprised of regulators, market participants and other relevant parties.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance: Domestic - Japan

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Mori Hamada boasts a premier team known for regularly assisting renowned financial institutions and corporations with a variety of financing transactions, including LBOs and corporate and syndicated loans. The practice demonstrates expertise in equity and diverse sector experience, including financing in the power and real estate industries. The team is also well versed in advising on financial regulatory matters and is active on high-end project financing mandates and turnaround finance.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Mori Hamada acted as lender counsel for MUFG on its JPY500 billion loan facility to KDDI for the joint tender offer with Mitsubishi Corporation to take Lawson private.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have highly specialised lawyers in various sectors and, even in new sectors, they can provide accurate advice.

    Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Mori Hamada fully understands the circumstances of financial institutions as lenders and appropriately advises on business matters as well as legal matters.

    Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Hiroki Aoyama
    Band 1Hiroki Aoyama

    Hiroki Aoyama

    Hiroki Aoyama has a stellar reputation in the market for banking and finance transactions, including LBO and syndicated loan mandates. He is also recognised for his knowledge of real estate and project financing.

    • Hiroki Aoyama is one of the top lawyers in Japan in the field of banking, and his ability to respond to various situations is outstanding.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • I rate his ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters very highly.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 1Masanori Sato
    Band 1Masanori Sato

    Masanori Sato

    Masanori Sato heads the Mori Hamada banking and finance practice group and is widely recognised in the market for his structured finance practice.

    • Not only does Masanori Sato have cutting-edge knowledge in the field of finance, but he also provides more practical legal advice based on a deep understanding of our business.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He is able to come up with creative ideas when working on new types of projects and consulting on difficult situations.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 3Takahiro Kobayashi
    Band 3Takahiro Kobayashi

    Takahiro Kobayashi

    Takahiro Kobayashi advises clients on a wide range of banking and financing transactions, with a strong emphasis on project finance.
    • We can ask Takahiro Kobayashi for advice on projects in new fields without worrying about anything. He has a strong commitment to advice and has an excellent manner.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • We highly appreciate his timely responses.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Kei Shirakawa
    Band 4Kei Shirakawa

    Kei Shirakawa

    Kei Shirakawa is an experienced practitioner whose expertise in leveraged finance is particularly valued by national and international lenders and borrowers.

    • Not only is Kei Shirakawa's expertise in finance excellent, but he also flexibly responds to complex issues based on the individuality of each case, giving not just general advice.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • The more complex the case, the more difficult it is for us to narrow down the legal issues, but he will make use of his communication skills to organise the issues appropriately and give his advice.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Yusuke Suehiro
    Band 4Yusuke Suehiro

    Yusuke Suehiro

    Yusuke Suehiro is recognised for his expertise in LBO finance and project finance. He represents some of Japan's most reputable banks and is active in sustainable financing projects.
    • Yusuke Suehiro is the first lawyer I would consult when there is a case.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He provides legal advice that goes one step further than the client's thoughts.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Up and ComingYuki Matsuda
    Up and ComingYuki Matsuda

    Yuki Matsuda

    Yuki Matsuda advises both domestic and international clients on a wide range of financing transactions and is particularly experienced in LBO finance.
    • We rate him highly for all aspects including his speed, knowledge and insight.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific
    • He has a deep understanding of our business and always responds flexibly to our needs.

      Banking & Finance: Domestic respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Mori Hamada (6)

Japan

Members

Provided by Mori Hamada

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