

Japan
Freshfields in Japan
We support our Japanese and international clients on their global business needs. From Japan, we work seamlessly with our colleagues across Asia, Europe, the United States and the MENA region, providing the highest quality of service.
We have been working with Japanese and international clients on various cross-border transactions and ground-breaking matters since the opening of our Japan office in 1988. We combine our in-depth knowledge of Japanese law and business culture with our global resources to handle complex and multijurisdictional mandates.
We have extensive experience advising clients in a range of heavily regulated industries, including financial institutions, energy and natural resources, infrastructure, TMT (technology, media and telecoms), healthcare and automotive.
Client successes
Advising SSE plc on an agreement with Pacifico Energy K.K. (a Japanese renewable energy developer) to create a joint ownership company that will pursue offshore wind energy development projects in Japan with a capacity of up to 10GW.
Advising ENEOS Corporation, the largest oil company in Japan, on its acquisition of JSR Corporation's global elastomers business, which includes manufactures and sale of synthetic rubber.
Advising Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group on its agreement to acquire a 49 per cent stake in VPBank Finance Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank, for a consideration of approximately US$1.4bn.
Advising Eppendorf AG on its acquisition of the centrifuge business of Koki Holdings Co., Ltd. in Japan.
Advising Knorr-Bremse on its acquisition by way of auction of Hitachi's integral power steering business for commercial vehicles in Japan and Thailand.
Advising Ajinomoto on its acquisition of a 33.33 per cent interest in Promasidor, a major seasoning and processed foods manufacturer that conducts business in 36 countries in Africa.
Advising New Kansai International Airport Company on the ground-breaking concession of Kansai and Osaka international airports, the first concession project to be delivered under the Japan's Promotion of Private Finance Initiative Act.
Advising Pearson on its sale of the Financial Times Group to Nikkei.
Our work on this deal was recognised at the Asian Legal Business Japan Law Awards 2016, winning us:
- Japan Deal of the Year;
- M&A Deal of the Year; and
- TMT Deal of the Year.
Advising Kurita Water Industries on its acquisition of water treatment and chemical production businesses from Israel Chemicals Limited, with assets in Europe, China and Israel.
Acting for selling shareholders in the recapitalisation of Universal Studios Japan.
Offices
Our team
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Takeshi Nakao Partner
Tokyo
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Jochen Ellrott Partner
Tokyo
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Kaori Yamada Partner
Tokyo
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Joaquin Terceño Partner
Tokyo, Singapore