Anderson Mori & Tomotsune's team advises a broad spectrum of clients, including investors, developers, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds and global institutions, across a variety of areas including real estate finance, M&A and structured development projects. Minoru Kobayashi is particularly well-regarded for his expertise in complex real estate finance, real estate funds and J-REIT transactions, especially in connection with global J-REIT offerings. Tetsuya Itoh has experience in real estate acquisitions. Ken Kobayashi regularly acts for a diverse group of lenders on non-recourse loans, encompassing real estate M&A financings and intricate acquisition loans through TK-TMK structures. Another key contact is Hikaru Naganuma who is recognised for his broad corporate practice and harnesses particular strengths in real estate and receivables securitisation, project finance, syndicated loans, M&A and real estate transactions.

Mori Hamada‘s team handles a wide spectrum of matters, from traditional acquisition and leasing deals, to more complex fund structures utilising special purpose vehicles, trusts and investment schemes targeting overseas real estate. The team’s core strengths include fund formation, property acquisitions, real estate development, leasing, divestment and real estate finance. Eriko Ozawa leads the practice and is noted for her proactive approach in steering intricate and high-stakes domestic real estate transactions through all stages, from structuring to completion. Satoru Hasumoto, who counts pension funds and multinational corporations among his clients, specialises in real estate and construction matters. Masahito Saeki offers a niche expertise in J-REITs and infrastructure funds, while Sonoko Amano stands out for her transactional, regulatory and compliance capabilities.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu‘s practice has a strong focus on both domestic and cross-border matters, particularly J-REIT transactions, M&A, and inbound and outbound investments. The team frequently advises offshore investors entering the Japanese property market, and vice versa. Team lead Kenji Utsumi has expertise across listed and unlisted REITs, transactions involving real estate developments and private fund investments. Mami Ikebukuro has expertise regarding accounting, tax and cash flow considerations. Hiroto Inoue is well-regarded for his role in high-profile real estate deals, while Makoto Saito regularly advises investment funds on both real estate and M&A matters. Shunpei Tanaka is recognised for his experience in large-scale development and complex restructuring projects. Shinichiro Horaguchi brings significant experience in real estate transactions, while Yoshinobu Koyama‘s expertise covers a broad spectrum of asset classes.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s team offers expertise across a wide range of matters, including those relating to acquisitions and disposals, investments, leasing issues, property management, as well as construction contracts and related disputes. Shintaro Uno heads the construction practice and is highly regarded for his focus on international engineering and infrastructure projects, with particular strengths handling matters in Japan and across Asia. Yoshihiko Kawakami leads the real estate team and advises on a broad array of real estate transactions and financing matters, as well as investment structures involving J-REITs and private real estate funds. Norio Maeda frequently acts for foreign investors engaging in Japanese real estate through structured deals, while Hiroshi Niinomi advises a diverse client base of developers, builders, lenders, asset managers, private REITs and J-REITs on real estate transactions within Japan.

TMI Associates‘ practice is involved in a wide variety of both domestic and cross-border real estate transactions, covering areas such as the sale and leasing of real estate, securitisation of property interests, and project and construction-related financings, as well as other structured finance matters. The team’s workload includes negotiating sale and lease agreements, advising on legal compliance, regulations and administrative guidelines for the acquisition, ownership, and operation of real estate. The practice is led by Yoshiyasu Yamaguchi who specialises in real estate investment, building and construction disputes, and inheritance division negotiations. Haruo Narimoto is another key contact, known for his expertise in real estate investment, development and project finance.

Ushijima & Partners’ team is highly active in the areas of real estate securitisation and transactional work, acting for a wide range of clients including developers, asset managers, banks, trust banks, insurance companies, J-REITs and investment firms. Kohtaro Tamura leads the practice and brings expertise across corporate disputes, real estate, finance and securitisation, as well as regulatory and fintech matters. Nao Makita regularly handles matters related to real estate transactions, development, securitisation, and investment and financing across various asset types. Masahiro Shiotani is noted for advising on real estate transactions, with particular expertise in drafting and negotiating complex agreements. Hiroki Awahara is also a name to note.

Atsumi & Sakai's team advises on infrastructure and plant construction, official developments and PPP projects, both domestically and internationally. Its expertise includes FS business support, as well as the drafting and negotiation of construction-related agreements, EPC contracts, joint venture agreements and shareholder agreements. The team is jointly led by Miho Niunoya, Shuji Koyama and Rie Kishida. Niunoya handles the contentious and non-contentious, Koyama advises on acquisitions of various asset types, and Kishida has construction and infrastructure expertise. Also at the helm are Russell Kawahara, Mayumi Hongo and Jun Oishi.

City-Yuwa Partners‘ team advises a mix of major domestic real estate companies and foreign investors on a broad range of matters, including drafting and reviewing agreements for government-funded bodies, advising consulting engineering firms and general contractors on bidding procedures and regulations, and handling EPC contractor disputes. IPO, PPP, PFI and concession projects are also areas of expertise across the team. It is jointly led by Yoshiko Koizumi, Junko Hirakawa and Shigeaki Itoh; Koizumi is noted for her expertise in contract negotiations, dispute prevention and resolution in cross-border transactions. Masamichi Sakamoto advises various clients on real estate investment transactions.

Iwata Godo’s practice includes advising on real estate transactions, property development, financing, and property-related disputes, serving both domestic and international clients. The team is jointly led by Kenichi Okushi, Kensuke Kashiwagi, and Takao Matsuda. Okushi is experienced in complex documentation aspects of investment transactions. Kashiwagi provides guidance on the sale, purchase and leasing of properties, contract preparation, tenant and customer relations, and regulatory and compliance matters. Matsuda advises real estate developers and financial institutions on a range of domestic cases.

Kaynex Law Offices' offering advises its portfolio of clients on the formation of joint ventures for real estate investments, on the drafting and negotiation of PPAs, and on the handling of day-to-day legal matters related to property leasing and management, as well as on licensing requirement issues. Eiichi Nagai leads the team and handles all aspects of real estate transactions, including straightforward acquisitions, TK-GK and TMK structures, J-REIT matters, and real estate securitisation involving CMBS and RMBS.

Tsubame Law Offices advises on the full spectrum of real estate matters, including structuring, investment, acquisition, development, construction, financing, asset and property management, and disposals. The team is jointly led by Yasuko Tsuchihashi, Atsuko Kissho, Takumi Fukuda, and Yasuhiro Shimada, all of whom have significant experience in real estate fund matters. They regularly act for banks, asset managers, and institutional investors, providing guidance on financial regulatory issues related to real estate investments.