A&O Shearman’s project and finance group has a strong track record in Japan advising major domestic and international players, particularly sponsors and financiers, on large-scale projects, with the energy transition space an area of strength for the team. Energy transition specialist Matthias Voss leads the group alongside Scott Neilson, head of the firm’s APAC banking and finance team, who offers expertise in sustainable and energy transition projects, regularly working for project sponsors, companies, and lenders. Xue Wang often assists Chinese financial institutions, investors, and project sponsors, while Hitomi Komachi focuses on decarbonisation, energy transition, LNG and mining matters. The team now also includes Etienne Gelencsér as a result of A&O and Shearman & Sterling merger in May 2024.

Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)’s sizeable project finance team in Tokyo has both inbound and outbound capabilities covering LNG, oil and gas, mining, and infrastructure projects, with the team noted particularly for its expertise in the renewables space. With over two decades of experience handling inbound and domestic project finance mandates, Shinichiro Kitamura leads the group. Jon Ornolfsson regularly advises leading Japanese clients, including trading houses and energy companies, on high-profile energy transactions across the APAC region; he leads the firm’s Asia energy and infrastructure practice. Ean Mac Pherson’s practice encompasses both conventional and renewable energy power projects, including offshore wind, solar, and biomass. Samir Desai works on natural resources, renewable and electric power, oil and gas, and infrastructure projects. Naoaki Eguchi is also a key contact. Tsutomu Kobayashi left the firm in April 2024.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’ energy, infrastructure and mining practice group in Tokyo continues to be a major player in the Japanese market, with oil and gas, mining, LNG, and renewable power projects all areas of expertise. Practice head Andrew Blacoe counts leading Japanese multinationals as long-term clients. He regularly leads on conventional, transitional, and renewable energy transactions across the APAC region as well as globally. Lachlan Clancy is noted for his work on international LNG projects. Stephen McCann has considerable experience advising Japanese trading houses and utilities on large-scale projects in the energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors, while Marcus Lyon has recently worked on LNG, mining, and carbon capture projects in both mature and emerging markets.

King & Spalding’s ‘excellent’ energy team in Tokyo offers a broad service covering natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, and renewable energy projects, with clients praising the team particularly for its expertise in the renewable energy space. Practice head John McClenahan has considerable experience advising banks and sponsors on energy and infrastructure projects, including in the hydrogen and ammonia segments. Mark Davies acts for sponsors and lenders in projects in the LNG, conventional power, renewables (both onshore and offshore wind power and solar power projects), and oil and gas sectors. Michael Arruda has over 40 years of experience advising global oil and gas companies on both inbound and outbound investments. Michael Meade is noted for his work on large-scale LNG projects.

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise’s project finance practice in Tokyo regularly acts as lead counsel to a wide range of clients, including lenders, borrowers, developers, and governmental entities, on projects across the APAC region. Recent highlights for the group include advising ECAs and lenders on the development and financing of a large-scale LNG project in Papua New Guinea. Practice head Stephen McWilliams has a strong track record handling major lender and sponsor-side mandates in the LNG, petrochemicals, infrastructure, and renewables sectors. Hiroki Kobayashi’s practice sees him advise Japanese sponsors and lenders on project development and finance matters in the oil and gas and power spaces. Richard Chul Kim has notable experience assisting sponsors, lenders, and government agencies with energy projects, while Richard Fleming handles power project transactions throughout Asia.

Linklaters’ projects team in Tokyo covers all bases, advising on ammonia/hydrogen, renewable energy, energy transition, and battery manufacturing projects. The group’s client roster includes major borrowers, sponsors, lenders, DFIs, and ECAs. Hirofumi Taba has considerable experience assisting Japanese and international clients with inbound and outbound transactions, demonstrating notable strength in offshore wind and hydrogen/ammonia projects. He leads the team alongside Ilia Ditiatev, who specialises in energy and natural resources transactions in emerging markets, focusing on energy transition projects and infrastructure financings.

Milbank’s projects and energy team regularly acts for both sponsor and lender clients on large-scale project financings across the APAC region as well as globally. The team has recently advised on LNG, energy transition, mining, and renewable energy projects, among others. Practice head Aled Davies has a wealth of experience representing Japanese financial institutions and project sponsors and a particularly strong reputation for his work on oil and gas (including LNG) projects. On the lender side, Andrew Pendleton advises ECAs, DFIs, and commercial banks, while his sponsor-side clients include major oil companies and Japanese conglomerates; he stands out for his mining, petrochemicals, and LNG projects experience. Aaron Mundy is noted for his LNG and renewables expertise, while Justen Fleming stands out for his strong track record in project finance in the LNG segment.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s projects and energy practice in Tokyo offers a comprehensive service to leading Japanese clients, with the team noted particularly for its expertise in the energy transition space. Practice head George Gibson’s broad experience encompasses power, hydropower, infrastructure, LNG, oil & gas, and renewables projects, among others. Maritime finance specialist Paul Coggins often advises commercial banks, ECAs, and sponsors in relation to the financing of carrier vessels and offshore units by means of asset-based leasing and debt facilities. Akihiko Takamatsu is noted particularly for his airport privatisation and renewable projects expertise. Andrew Clarke is also a key contact in the group.

White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association)’s Tokyo office advises on the full spectrum of projects and energy matters, from traditional to renewable energy projects, and across the full project life cycle. Practice head Paul Harrison acts for both lenders and sponsors in big-ticket energy and infrastructure projects in Japan as well as internationally. Julien Bocobza’s varied practice sees him advise on outbound investments and energy transition matters. Masahiro Tanabe focuses on renewable energy and electric power projects, while Michael Richter is active in project development, construction, and financing mandates in the energy sector.

Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)’s projects group in Tokyo collaborates with offices across the firm’s international network to advise on oil and gas, mining, renewables energy, and infrastructure sector transactions with a Japan nexus. Yusuke Abe, who regularly handles domestic and cross-border project finance mandates, leads the team alongside Hans Menski, a name to note for cross-border energy, infrastructure, and oil and gas project developments and financings. Natsuko Sugihara’s varied practice includes projects M&A, while arbitration specialist Peter Harris handles disputes in the energy, natural resources, construction, and infrastructure sectors.

Mayer Brown GJBJ’s projects team acts for major Japanese energy companies and trading houses, among other clients, on all aspects of domestic and international energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Rupert Burrows has considerable experience handling international projects in the energy, chemical, and transport sectors. His client base includes trading houses, utility companies, and banks. Myles Mantle regularly assists borrowers, sponsors, lenders, ECAs, and DFIs with oil and gas (including LNG), power, mining, and infrastructure projects.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s energy and infrastructure practice is noted particularly for its renewable energy projects expertise, covering solar, and onshore and offshore wind farms. The team is also at the forefront of corporate power purchase agreements in the renewables space, having recently advised Microsoft on a 20-year solar project PPA. With a focus on inbound transactions, practice head Minako Wakabayashi regularly advises multinational developers and sponsors on cross-border renewable energy projects. Yuko Inui’s areas of expertise also include inbound investments in renewable energy projects and renewables M&A. Andrew Hughes and Kentaro Shoji are also key contacts.

Jones Day’s energy team in Tokyo represents Japanese energy companies on domestic and outbound renewable energy transactions, as well as international energy companies and developers on inbound energy transactions. The team has experience advising on solar, on- and offshore wind, biomass, and battery storage projects. Practice head Katsumi Shirai focuses on downstream renewable energy project development/acquisition transactions. Lukas Kratochvil is active in the oil and gas, renewables, and mining sectors.

Morrison Foerster’s project finance group in Tokyo handles significant international matters in the renewable energy, mining, transport, and LNG spaces, among others. Michael Graffagna has considerable experience advising sponsors and developers on the development, acquisition, divestment, and financing of large infrastructure projects in the APAC region and around the world. He leads the practice alongside Dale Caldwell, who often acts for lenders, project sponsors and construction contractors in connection with the development and financing of infrastructure projects. Masahiro Shiga specialises in renewable energy project finance.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s Tokyo office is active in the projects and energy space, advising major companies on a broad range of matters, and demonstrating particular experience in renewables and energy transition projects. Simon Barrett, whose international experience in the oil and gas, power, chemicals, and transport sectors is noteworthy, leads the team. Olivia Matsushita is especially active in clean fuel, renewable energy, and petrochemicals projects.

Sidley Austin Foreign Law Joint Enterprise’s energy and infrastructure team continues to gain traction in the Japan projects and energy space. Daniel Lin has considerable experience handling cross-border conventional energy and infrastructure transactions as well as renewable energy and energy transition matters. He leads the team alongside co-managing partner Tomoki Ishiara. Shigeyuki Ito advises Japanese and Asia-based clients on renewable energy and LNG project development, among other issues.