About

Provided by Mori Hamada

The success of our sizable insolvency practice stems from our extensive experience representing clients in all types of restructuring proceedings involving listed companies and small and medium-sized enterprises. We draw upon the expertise of our leading corporate, M&A and finance teams to navigate increasingly complex insolvency matters. The depth and breadth of our practice enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services for transactions and proceedings involving distressed companies.

Mori Hamada also serves as a one-stop firm for international insolvency and restructuring cases, as well as for the withdrawal of Japanese companies from overseas businesses, working closely with leading overseas law firms. In addition, we have been involved in the enactment of new insolvency and restructuring legislation, such as the Early Business Recovery Act enacted in 2025, and remain a leading authority in this field in Japan.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Restructuring/Insolvency - Japan

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Mori Hamada has an experienced bench of legal advisers active in assisting debtors, creditors and sponsors with complex insolvency and restructuring matters in Japan, including out-of-court workouts and pre-packaged reorganisations. The firm is proficient in supporting corporations from an array of sectors, often representing medium-sized companies. The team's areas of strength also include assisting companies from the manufacturing and retail sectors with corporate restructurings.

Work Highlights

  • Mori Hamada acted for J-Will Partners and ITOCHU in a bidding and negotiation in sponsor selection processes for the restructuring of BIGMOTOR.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Soichiro Fujiwara
Head of Restructuring/Insolvency
1
Band 1
Soichiro Fujiwara is greatly respected in Japan as a go-to name for distressed debtors and shareholders, as well as lenders, involved in restructurings, pre-insolvency workouts and in-court bankruptcies.

He is a market veteran and one of the best.

He is a leading expert who continues to be at the forefront of the field.

Ryota Yamasaki
2
Ryota Yamasaki
2
Band 2
Ryota Yamasaki is an experienced lawyer in the market. He regularly acts on behalf of major Japanese corporations during out-of-court debt restructurings.

It's good to have him on my side. He has the experience, knowledge and communication skills to get deals done.

Ryota puts himself in clients' shoes and puts maximum effort for his clients.

Takahiro Inou
2
Takahiro Inou
2
Band 2

Takahiro Inou is an experienced practitioner who regularly handles court-supervised proceedings and out-of-court restructuring mandates. He acts for clients across the space, including debtors, creditors and sponsors.

He is a rare counsel who has both soundness and creativity. I am also grateful for his attention and care to other people around him.

He is a seasoned and diligent lawyer.

Wataru Ishida
3
Wataru Ishida
3
Band 3

Wataru Ishida is recognised for his adept handling of civil rehabilitation and out-of-court proceedings. Both debtors and creditors benefit from his expertise.

He provides quality advice within a short turnaround. He understands business well and can handle cases others cannot. He is also good at communication, and he handles difficult clients with ease.

Wataru can get very complex cases concluded with his negotiation skills, creativity, sense of speed and relationship management skills with clients.

Ranked Lawyers at
Mori Hamada

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Japan

Restructuring/Insolvency

1
Soichiro Fujiwara
Head of Restructuring/Insolvency
1
Band 1
Ryota Yamasaki
2
Ryota Yamasaki
2
Band 2
Takahiro Inou
2
Takahiro Inou
2
Band 2
Wataru Ishida
3
Wataru Ishida
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Mori Hamada

Airo Inoue

Atsunori Nobukuni

Dai Katagiri

Kouichi Nanba

Ryo Kawabata

Shinichiro Yokota

Soichiro Fujiwara

Head of Department

Yusuke Matsui