Anderson Mori & Tomotsune‘s practice is well versed in cross-border real estate transactions, focusing on inbound investments by foreign investors and capital market transactions. The practice also handles domestic real estate matters, representing lenders, borrowers, asset managers, and trustees. Tetsuya Itoh advises clients on real estate development for residential, office, hotel, and logistics assets, while Minoru Kobayashi focuses on global J-REIT offerings. Other key members are Ken Kobayashi, who recently advised on real estate-related M&A financing and acquisition loans through the TK-TMK structure, and Hikaru Naganuma, who specialises in property and receivables securitisation, project finance, and M&A matters.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Tokyo Office‘s practice specialises in private real estate fund formation, property acquisition, and real estate-related financing, often using TMK or GK-TK structures. It also has a strong focus on the growing Japanese STO market, real estate development for data centres and hotels, and a market-leading J-REIT practice. Team leader Eriko Ozawa has significant expertise in driving projects that establish fund structures for investing in or financing US real estate. Satoru Hasumoto structures real estate funds for Japanese developers and investors in overseas ventures, while Masahito Saeki advises both domestic and international clients on J-REITs and listed infrastructure funds.

The team at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu specialises in J-REITs, maintaining a leading position in the market, and has a strong presence in the private REIT market. Under the leadership of Kenji Utsumi, who is well versed in real estate development projects and private fund real estate investments, the team features the ‘exceptional’ Mami Ikebukuro, who has ‘in-depth knowledge of her area of practice’, which combines real estate, accounting, and tax law. Shunpei Tanaka specialises in establishing sponsored J-REITs, Hiroto Inoue supports foreign clients navigating the Japanese J-REIT market, and Makoto Saito has extensive experience in both real estate and M&A matters. Shinichiro Horaguchi and Yoshinobu Koyama are also prominent members of the team.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s real estate development and finance team brings extensive experience in areas such as sales and acquisitions, investment, and leasing both in Japan and internationally. Under the leadership of Yoshihiko Kawakami, the team also drafts and negotiates contracts for building design and construction, while providing guidance on land use regulations governed by national and local laws, including city planning, building standards, and landscaping. Kawakami specialises in real estate transactions, financing, and investment structures, including J-REITs and private real estate funds. Hiroshi Niinomi manages complex real estate projects across Japan, while Norio Maeda advises foreign investors on structured transactions in Japan’s real estate. market.

Under the leadership of Yoshiyasu Yamaguchi, the real estate and construction team at TMI Associates is highly experienced in handling large-scale domestic and international real estate transactions, securitisations, and construction-related matters, as well as transactions between domestic parties. Arito Ogoshi specialises in financial regulation for asset management and venture companies, while Junji Shiraki brings extensive expertise in both domestic and cross-border financial transactions, with a particular focus on real estate finance, construction, and development projects. Mizuki Koshimoto is a key figure in inbound renewable energy transactions, with a particular focus on offshore wind power projects.

The team at Ushijima & Partners has deep expertise in real estate transactions, securitisation, and litigation related to leases, land contamination, and construction disputes. Team leader Kohtaro Tamura excels in Japan’s real estate and securitisation sectors, bringing extensive experience from his role as chairman for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism. Masahiro Shiotani specialises in real estate and financing transactions, along with drafting complex agreements, while Nao Makita focuses on development and investment matters involving residential facilities, commercial buildings, hotels, and hospitals. Hiroki Awahara is well versed in domestic and cross-border real estate and investment regulations.

Atsumi & Sakai‘s practice, led by Russell Kawahara, Shuji Koyama, and Jun Oishi, fields a real estate and real estate finance team that focuses on financing deals for residential developments and commercial properties in Japan and internationally. Kawahara handles disputes and M&A related to commercial, residential, and resort properties, while Oishi focuses on renewable energy projects and PPP/PFI initiatives both domestically and abroad. Another key figure is Takafumi Uematsu. The firm also features an infrastructure and construction team, led by Miho Niunoya, Rie Kishida, and Mayumi Hongo, which focuses on ODA and PPP projects.

City-Yuwa Partners‘ real estate and construction team is well versed in managing investments, offering expertise in structuring, regulatory compliance, and due diligence. Led by Shigeaki Itoh, Junko Hirakawa, and Yoshiko Koizumi, the team also advises on new property developments and handles related disputes. Koizumi specialises in contract negotiation, dispute prevention, and resolution in international transactions, while Masamichi Sakamoto brings extensive experience in cross-border real estate investment, representing foreign investment funds, international hotel brands, and real estate asset managers. Izuru Goto is a name to note in relation to construction projects, including hydraulic power station projects.

The ‘swift and flexible’ team at Kaynex Law Offices specialises in both domestic and cross-border real estate investments, lending, development, and construction matters. Led by the ‘exceptional’ Eiichi Nagai, who is well versed in all aspects of real estate transactions, including TK-GK structures, J-REITs, and real estate securitisation, the team also includes Makoto Fujii, who manages property due diligence, negotiations with relevant parties, as well as the housekeeping and maintenance of investment vehicles.

Tsubame Law Offices‘ team is well versed in both domestic and cross-border real estate financing and other structured finance transactions and syndicated loans. The team is jointly led by Yasuko Tsuchihashi, Atsuko Kissho, Takumi Fukuda, and Yasuhiro Shimada, who are all experienced in real estate fund matters, advising banks, asset management companies, and institutional investors on financial regulations. Kissho handles compliance matters related to financial regulations, while Shimada advises banks on trust regulations.