Real Estate | Asia-Pacific

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has a market-leading team handling a diverse range of transactions, including property acquisitions, financings, and the development of funds focused on real estate. The firm is well known for providing advice to J-REITs, major banks, real estate developers and logistics companies. It has additional expertise in handling property portfolios and representing real estate companies in capital market transactions, including IPOs and follow-on public offerings. Its key clients include Daiwa Capital Markets, Nomura Securities and Kenedix Office Investment Corporation.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is engaged by a range of renowned financial institutions and asset management companies in sophisticated property acquisitions and disposal of trust beneficial interests. The team's areas of expertise also include real estate debt financings, public offerings and other J-REIT issues. It offers advice on TMK and GK-TK structures for setting up funds. The firm handles both domestic and outbound real estate acquisitions on behalf of multinational corporations, foreign entities and Japan-based investors. Its key clients include Daiwa House Industry, Mitsubishi and Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Morrison Foerster has a market-leading team comprising foreign and local lawyers, which ably handles highly complex real estate acquisitions and financing, advising both domestic and multinational corporations. It is distinguished for its depth of expertise in real estate fund formation, joint venture establishment, real estate acquisitions and the sales of real estate portfolios. The firm is renowned for its inbound acquisitions practice and equally capable of handling outbound real estate acquisitions. Its key clients include Credit Suisse, Farallon Capital and Asia Pacific Land (Japan).

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is noted for offering advice to domestic and multinational investors on complex real estate transactions, including demergers, joint ventures and acquisitions. J-REITs features heavily in the team's workload along with fund formation work. It is especially notable for its expertise in hotel acquisition and financing matters and also active on IPOs for real estate companies. The team is able to advise clients on acquisitions of offshore real estate assets. Its key clients include Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Nomura Real Estate Development and Mitsui Fudosan.

Nishimura & Asahi has a high-profile team regularly engaged by international and domestic institutions in large-scale acquisitions and developments of prime property. The firm continues to act on financings and various transactions on behalf of REITs. The team regularly advises Japanese real estate companies on transactions across North and South-East Asia. It is experienced in acting as the arranger's counsel on big-ticket real estate acquisitions and also assists foreign investors with their real estate acquisitions in Japan. Its key clients include Blackstone Group Japan, ORIX and Kajima.

Clifford Chance offers comprehensive advice to domestic and global financial institutions, investment funds and corporates on various real estate issues. The firm is proficient in acquisitions and property development projects for the hospitality and logistics sectors. The team advises on the formation of joint ventures, as well as financing and refinancing matters. It is sought after by foreign multinationals and US-based investors to handle inbound real estate development matters.

White & Case is a highly versatile team that acts for a portfolio of Japanese and international investment companies and funds on the acquisition and financing of commercial and multipurpose properties. The firm is skilled in offering comprehensive advice, drawing upon its depth of expertise in domestic and international law. The team is equally capable of handling both inbound and outbound real estate transactions. It is noted for its expertise in the formation and structuring of real estate funds and joint ventures.

Withers has a respected team comprising local and foreign-registered lawyers, with a strong focus on assisting an impressive clientele with complex cross-border real estate transactions. The firm is able to guide clients through the financing, development and leasing aspects of real estate mandates. The team is also able to offer expertise in fund formation and the structuring of joint ventures. Key clients include Morgan Stanley, CLSA Capital and J.P. Morgan.

Atsumi & Sakai is in demand for its skilful handling of the purchase and sale of properties and for dealing with trust beneficial interests in domestic real estate. The firm also offers significant expertise in real estate finance, acting for domestic banks and financial institutions on syndicated and non-recourse loans as well as refinancings. The team ably handles cross-border real estate transactions on behalf of foreign investors and is particularly active advising on the acquisition and development of logistics properties.

Baker McKenzie is proficient in covering a broad range of real estate work, including developments, financing, M&A and REITs, often advising on cross-border transactions. The firm assists corporations with acquiring Japanese properties and with the real estate aspects of establishing business operations in Japan. The team's client roster includes an extensive array of both private and institutional investors, and companies from the technology and hospitality sectors. It offers advice on lease agreements, joint ventures and management of commercial properties. Its key clients include Pacific Century Group, Nomura Real Estate and KKR.

Greenberg Traurig has a well-regarded team that advises international private equity funds, asset managers and real estate developers on inbound transactions. It is also noted for its expertise in assisting Japanese investors in their international investments. The firm offers expertise relating to office buildings, data centres, hotels and retail facilities amongst other areas. Its key clients include EdgeConneX, GI Capital Management and IGIS Asset Management.

TMI Associates offers considerable expertise to clients on the acquisition and development of commercial, residential and industrial properties. The firm is also experienced in resolving tax issues pertaining to major property transactions, including TMK and GK-TK structures. The team assists with real estate financing and securitisation. Key clients include Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking, ORIX and Aozora Bank.

Ushijima & Partners is a respected domestic outfit that handles a wide range of real estate transactions and securitisation matters. The firm acts for a diverse array of banks, multinational corporations, asset management companies and real estate investment companies. The team is well known for its expertise in handling real estate-related litigation involving leasing issues, land pollution and construction.

City-Yuwa Partners has a strong practice with expertise across real estate transactions and regulatory mandates. The team also assists with large development projects, including office and hotel projects. Its key clients include real estate developers, real estate asset managers and investment funds, including sovereign wealth funds.

Jones Day has an established team that advises major clients on development projects, acquisitions and investments into real estate. The firm has a proven track record in assisting on transactions involving commercial buildings and condominiums, as well as renewable energy projects. The team assists real estate funds investing into the Japanese real estate using TMK and GK-TK schemes. It is routinely sought after for its domestic real estate expertise in Japan. Its key clients include PAG and Macquarie Capital Securities Japan.