Projects & Energy: Domestic | Asia-Pacific

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune boasts a wealth of experience in relation to PFI infrastructure matters in Japan, acting for public authorities and commercial and development banks. The team is particularly skilled in tackling domestic mega-solar projects, with considerable experience in major privatisations, and also demonstrates capability in traditional energy development alongside its renewables expertise. The firm offers impressive experience on project finance matters and works closely with its notable capital markets team to advise on projects-related bond issuances. Key clients include Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Goldman Sachs and the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is regularly engaged as legal counsel by trading companies, development banks and energy companies to advise on renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and biomass. The firm is equally capable in the traditional energy sphere, especially acting on LNG developments, and is highly proficient in financing, having worked on numerous syndicated loan transactions, including advising on some of the first infrastructure investment funds in Japan. The team is also knowledgeable regarding market regulations due to its strong relationships with major supervisory authorities. Mori Hamada acts for both lenders and sponsors, either individually or as part of a bidding consortium, and some of its notable clients include Osaka Gas, Takara Leben Infrastructure Fund and Mizuho Securities.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is a leading law firm, acting for major domestic and international clients on solar, wind, power and PFI infrastructure projects in Japan. The team has considerable expertise in handling complex energy sector investments and transactions, regularly acting for major sponsors and banking groups in project finance. It regularly advises Japanese clients on domestic projects as well as those in South-East Asian countries. The practice is noted for its up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes and issues in the energy and infrastructure sectors and is also active on behalf of energy and utility companies on high-profile project financings. The firm offers significant experience in privatisation mandates in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Nishimura & Asahi has a robust bench of knowledgeable lawyers in Japan, adept at advising clients on the financing and development of renewable energy projects, with a large legal team capable of facilitating large-scale, complex developments. The firm represents both sponsors and lenders including major Japanese banks, trading companies and public authorities. The team is active across LNG, refinery and mining projects, as well as the financing and construction of coal and biomass power projects. Its key clients include Nomura, Hokuriku Electric Power and NTT.

Atsumi & Sakai is a respected local law firm in Japan with considerable experience assisting Japanese lenders and sponsors with the development and financing of major infrastructure and renewable energy projects. The firm is especially well known for its work on solar, biomass and wind mandates and also handles M&A transactions for energy clients. Due diligence, risk analysis and structuring are additional key strengths and the team is also adept at handling PFI and PPP projects.

Baker McKenzie's Tokyo-based team is regularly instructed to advise on cross-border energy sector transactions, including off-take arrangements, tolling agreements, regulatory compliance and investment in natural resource assets. The team is highly proficient in advising on the development of LNG power plant projects, as well as solar and wind projects, representing international contractors and developers. The practice is routinely instructed by major institutional investors and trading houses, both Japanese and international, and has considerable experience in domestic PPP and PFI transactions.

Clifford Chance's legal team in Japan regularly represents high-profile clients on a range of domestic and cross-border project development, finance and operation matters. Its team of international lawyers works closely with domestic bengoshi to provide clients with a one-stop shop service. The team represents significant corporate and financial clients on infrastructure, mining, power and renewable energy matters, including the financing and development of onshore and overseas wind farm projects. Its key clients include Actis, Vena and Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

TMI Associates is noted for its extensive track record in project financing legal matters in Japan, regularly advising on renewable energy matters. The firm also offers experience advising on project development work and transactions in the energy sector, and is able to advise on PPP and PFI projects.

City-Yuwa Partners is regularly mandated by clients to assist with the legal aspects of renewable energy projects in Japan, including solar, wind and biomass. The team assists both developers and financial institutions with project development and project finance matters and also advises on investments in the energy sector.

Kaynex Law Offices is a notable boutique law firm in Japan, offering significant experience in the energy sector. The team frequently acts as counsel on renewable energy projects, advising on both development and project finance matters, especially relating to solar power. The firm acts for a range of domestic and multinational investors on the acquisition of renewable energy assets.