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 in project finance matters and works closely with its notable capital markets team to advise on projects-related bond issuances.

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.

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 solid legal team capable of advising clients on the financing and development of large-scale energy projects. 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.

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 in 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 in infrastructure, mining, power and renewable energy matters, including the financing and development of onshore and overseas wind farm projects.

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.

Linklaters advises on a broad suite of legal matters from its Tokyo office, including infrastructure, LNG and renewable power projects. The team leverages a comprehensive international network to advise Japanese lenders and sponsors on an array of complex cross-border financings. The firm advises on projects across Asia, Europe, the USA and the Middle East, as well as in Japan, and is notably active in the offshore wind space.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has a solid legal practice in Japan, regularly representing investors, trading firms and utilities in a variety of energy financings and development matters, with particular expertise advising on renewable energy projects covering solar, wind and biomass. The team regularly acts for international clients on energy sector investments and joint ventures.