Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune consistently impresses with its outstanding practices across almost all categories including banking and finance, capital markets, energy, disputes, funds, employment, regulatory and tax. It is a go-to firm for highly complex and high-profile mandates with a remarkable wealth of industry-specific expertise. Prominent figures in the firm include capital markets expert Hironori Shibata, disputes lawyer Yoshimasa Furuta, IP focused Yasufumi Shiroyama and tax specialist Koji Fujita.

Capital markets  

Work highlights

Advised freee KK on its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. This was the second largest IPO in Japan in 2019.

Key clients

Central Japan Railway Company, Kansai Electric, Merrill Lynch International, Nomura Securities, Recruit Holdings

Competition/antitrust

Work highlights

Represented Qualcomm in proceedings before the Japan Fair Trade Commission related to an alleged violation of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act based on certain licensing provisions with mobile phone manufacturers.

Key clients

Bunka Shutter, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, International Business Machines Corporation, Tomoku

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Acted for Line Corporation, a subsidiary of Naver Corporation, in its business integration with Z Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of SoftBank. The tie-up would create the largest internet service company in Japan.

Key clients

Development Bank of Japan, Hitachi High-Technologies, Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings, Nissin Kogyo, Roivant Sciences

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Represented Universal Music in a tax lawsuit arising out of a corporate group restructuring, and seeking cancellation of the reassessments.

Energy

Work highlights

Assisted Barclays Securities Japan with the issuance of a renewable energy project bond for 10 solar power plants. 

Investment funds

Work highlights

Assisted with the setup of an open-ended core real estate fund by LaSalle Investment Management. This fund is believed to be one of the largest open-ended real estate private funds in Japan.

Key clients

Credit Suisse, Nomura Alternative Investment Management, Nikko Asset Management, StepStone Group

Intellectual property

Work highlights

Acted for Firstface in filing import suspension actions against Apple Japan, alleging certain iPhone products infringe its patents.

Key clients

Aisin Seiki, DENSO Corporation, Mochida Pharmaceutical, Toyota Motor Corporation

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Advised Lehman Brothers Japan and three other Japanese entities on the filing of a petition for commencement of civil rehabilitation proceedings.

Acted for Tibanne, the Japanese corporate parent of the largest bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox, in its civil rehabilitation proceedings.

Client feedback

“Accurate and timely responses with deep analysis based on its expertise and experience.” – Banking and finance

“One of the best Japanese law firms in Japan and strong in capital markets and regulatory matters.” –Capital markets

“High-level service based on deep knowledge and a wide range of experience.” – Capital markets

“It completed the due diligence quickly at a high professional level and gave abundant advice in order to reduce legal risks arising from buying the target company.” – Corporate and M&A

“The firm has expertise in insurance law and always gives us good advice regarding insurance regulation.” – Insurance

“It provided a wide range of high-quality services, such as regulatory reviews, referral to regulatory authorities and review of contracts.” – Regulatory

Tomoki Debari

“Professional advice especially regarding Insurance Act related matters.”

“He has a strong knowledge of insurance regulation and always suggests a great solution to our problem.”

Kazutoshi Kakuyama

“Kakuyama is extremely experienced and understands how to communicate risks to a reasonable solution for the business.”

Minoru Kobayashi

“Well experienced with depth of knowledge and communication skills to solve any issue.”

Junichi Kondo

“He has broad knowledge of healthcare regulation.”

Hiroaki Takahashi

“Accurate and timely responses with deep analysis based on his expertise and experience.”

Kazuhiro Yoshii

“Always pleasant to work with and responsive.”