Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, one of the largest and most diversified law firms in Japan, consistently impresses clients with its outstanding practices across almost all categories including banking and finance, capital markets, energy, disputes, funds, employment, regulatory and tax. As one of the ‘Big Four’ firms, it is a go-to firm for high-profile mandates, with a remarkable wealth of industry-specific expertise. Prominent figures in the firm include IP-focused Yasufumi Shiroyama and tax specialist Koji Fujita.
Client feedback
“The firm provided legal services combined with expertise and rationality.” – Banking and finance
"Very appropriate and rapid advice provided based on their understanding of our business and needs. We were able to release our new business structure and scheme to our clients at the scheduled time." – Banking and finance
“The firm always provides reasonable advice not only from a legal perspective but also from a business perspective, backed by wide and deep experience.” – Banking and finance
“Demonstrated understanding of regulations, practices and clients' interest.” – Capital markets
“Responsive, hands-on and pragmatic with no language barriers.” – Competition/antitrust
“The firm showcased their expertise and experience in the subject matter. They possess strong communication skills, providing reliable, objective and reasonable assessments and recommendations.” – Competition/antitrust
“AMT (Anderson Mori & Tomotsune) is prompt and thoughtful in providing guidance in managing competition risks in Japan. We are happy to have a reliable local firm that can cater to the demanding timeline of their client.” – Competition/antitrust
“Responsive, very good at conducting research, and insightful.” – Corporate and M&A
“The level of services has been satisfactory in every respect. We are satisfied with their expertise, and prompt and accurate response to the risk of frequent regulatory changes. They have also been very attentive to our communication needs, and we have been able to receive their advice with peace of mind. In terms of costs, they are flexible and fair in adjusting to different situations, which is very helpful.” – Corporate and M&A
“AMT has deep knowledge and experience in Japan. The firm is able to take this knowledge and experience and provide practical, solutions-oriented advice on complex issues.” – Corporate and M&A
“They helped us in collaboration with an English law firm and successfully led us to a prevailing position over the English licenser.” – Intellectual property
“Transparent communication and reliable.” – Investment funds
“The firm boasts a wealth of knowledgeable and experienced lawyers in the desired field.” – Investment funds
“The approach is more practical than academic, focusing on the practical point of view rather than excessive theoretical discourse.” – Labour and employment
“Moderate and supportive attitude and communication.” – Labour and employment
“They provided a balanced view based on the market trend and the risk consideration.” – Labour and employment
“They presented us with not only the legal issues to be solved, but also how we solve such issues and the possible consequences, with multiple alternatives.” – Privacy and data protection
“They are very responsive and responded to our requests in a flexible manner.” – Privacy and data protection
"Excellent and appropriate advice coupled with hard work.” – Regulatory
Hiroshi Ishihara
“He has an extensive international network, which helps us resolve any issue arising in overseas jurisdiction.”
Naoyuki Kabata
“Responsive and knowledgeable.”
Minoru Kobayashi
“In addition to their exceptional expertise in the field of real estate finance, they possess a profound understanding of the business aspects and demonstrate flexibility, providing precise and valuable advice.”
Ken Kobayashi
“He provides reasonable advice considering both legal and business perspectives by leveraging his working experience both in the law firm and an investment bank.”
Eiji Kobayashi
“Very client-oriented, values communication and relationship, and most of all, he provides the best possible solution for his clients.”
Junichi Kondo
“Deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry in Japan.”
Vassili Moussis
“The lawyer possesses excellent knowledge in both Japanese and EU antitrust matters. He is responsive and pleasant to work with.”
Takashi Nakazaki
“His advice is adequately detailed and easy to understand.”
Zentaro Nihei
“Nihei is responsive and practical and coordinates advice across areas very well. He has good judgement and provides practical advice on complex issues.”
Kensuke Otsuki
“He has solid knowledge in the labour and employment area, and we trust that his recommendations and advice are accurate and reliable. He is adept at incorporating feedback and utilising it to improve the output, which we greatly appreciate.”
Takehisa Sato
“The lawyer possesses a deep understanding of regulations, practice, and clients' interests.”
Wataru Shimizu
“The lawyer provides practical and valuable advice based on their diverse knowledge, encompassing not only the automotive industry but also other industries.”
Reiji Takahashi
“Deep knowledge and expertise in the project finance space.”
Shintaro Takeoka
“This individual possesses great knowledge and an excellent personality.”
Takaharu Totsuka
“The lawyer exhibits high professionalism and possesses extensive knowledge in financial laws. They also demonstrate a deep understanding of our business needs.”
Junichi Ueda
“Very practical, polite and understanding of the client's needs and situation.”
Ko Wakabayashi
“The lawyer takes a bottom-line approach, being responsive and understanding the needs of the client.”
Atsushi Yamada
“The lawyer possesses superb subject-matter knowledge and experience, demonstrating sound judgement. He has a strong business sense and is adept at managing client expectations. Additionally, his English skills are excellent, particularly in spoken English, surpassing the capabilities of the majority of Japanese lawyers.”
“He is willing to assist on difficult requests on short notice. He provides consistent work product on a timely basis, and I consider him as a go-to lawyer on competition issues in Japan.”
Work highlights
Advised Japan Digital Space Economy Federation on the preparation and publication of the Report for Economic Development of Digital Economy, which identifies and discusses IP and various other legal issues involving the metaverse and similar digital spaces on the internet. This matter holds significance as it pertains to the emerging metaverse industry, where numerous unprecedented IP and other legal issues have arisen and will continue to arise. The purpose of this report is to address these novel issues, providing companies with an understanding of and guidance on how to navigate IP-related challenges when conducting business in the metaverse.
Work highlights
Acted for Suruga Bank in a mass mediation case filed by approximately 400 debtors with the Tokyo District Court. Following a successful mediation, Suruga Bank offset the ¥60 billion ($409 million) share-house loans to those debtors with the settlement payments to those debtors and assigned the outstanding loans to third-party investment funds.
Key clients
Hyper, Nippon Light Metal Holdings Company, Tabikobo.
Work highlights
Acted as legal adviser for Credit Suisse Management on the public offering of the Premium Carry Strategy Fund, which is the 13th series trust publicly offered in Japan. The fund publicly offered its initial class units in November 2021 and subsequently publicly offered its additional class units in October 2022.
Advised Deepcore – an AI-focused incubator based in Japan that is a subsidiary of Softbank Group Corp – on its first venture capital fund, STATION Ai Central Japan I, and completed its first closing. The fund will invest in tech startups in the area of information and communication technology.
Key clients
D Capital, DBJ Asset Management, Fivestar Mezzanine, Janus Henderson Investors Europe.
Work highlights
Represented creditors of the United Ocean Group in filing a petition to commence the corporate reorganisation proceedings of United Ocean Group, including its 40 foreign special purpose companies in Panama and Singapore. The United Ocean Group matter was a landmark case because it was the first corporate reorganisation case where foreign entities were deemed to be equivalent to Japanese stock corporations.
Key clients
Digipoke, Matsue Kankyo No Mori, Newton Press, Tibanne.
Work highlights
Advised Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) on a comprehensive capital and business alliance with SBI Holdings, which includes SMFG together with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, a leading Japanese bank, and leading Japanese credit card company Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company and SBI, forming a strong alliance in retail digital financial service areas, and SMFG subscribing for newly issued common shares of SBI, a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Key clients
Aso Corporation, Chukyo Bank, Daibiru Corporation.
Work highlights
Advised Japan International Cooperation Agency on its overseas issuance of guaranteed bonds.
Advised JERA on its issuance of $300 million denominated senior notes. This is the JERA’s first US dollar-denominated bonds. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes including procurement of fuel ammonia, which has less environmental impact when burned, and development of renewable energy.
Advised bio-tech company TMS on its IPO and listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This was one of few global IPOs by Japanese companies in 2022.
Key clients
Daiwa Capital Markets Europe, ImageONE, Nomura, SMBC Nikko Capital Markets.
Work highlights
Advised medical device technology company Abiomed on Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) proceedings pertaining to its acquisition by Johnson & Johnson. The firm responded to the JFTC’s questions on the medical products supplied by Abiomed in the Japanese market and managed to obtain early clearance within phase 1.
Acted as legal counsel to Hanwha Group, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Convergence, Hanwha Impact Partners and Hanwha Energy Corporation Singapore, for a voluntary notification with the JFTC in relation to its acquisition of 49.3% common stocks of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, a Korean shipbuilding company.
Key clients
Bunka Shutter, Nissin Sugar, Suzuken, Tomoku.
Work highlights
Advised SMBC, MUFG Bank and Mizuho Bank, the mandated lead arrangers of senior facility, on KKR’s acquisition of the majority shares in Seiyu.
Advised Apollo Global Management on Altemira Corporation’s acquisition of the aluminium can and aluminium rolling business from Mitsubishi Materials. This is a roll-up transaction sponsored by Apollo and the firm led the negotiations with the existing senior lenders.
Key clients
Bain Capital, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Work highlights
Advised Hokuriku Electric Power Company on legal matters related to the 2400 MW Fujairah F3 gas combined cycle power project, the largest gas-fired power project in the UAE.
Advised Japan Petroleum Exploration on a syndicate-type green loan financing to promote the No. 2 plant and No. 3 biomass power plants projects located in Hokkaido, Japan. These projects are considered important as they are expected to reduce the CO2 emissions and significantly contribute to the promotion of the green initiatives by each sponsor.
Key clients
Barclays Securities Japan, Goldman Sachs, TEPCO Power Grid.
