Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, one of the largest and most diversified law firms in Japan, consistently impresses clients with its outstanding practices across almost all categories including banking and finance, capital markets, energy, disputes, funds, employment, regulatory and tax. As one of the ‘Big Four’ firms, it is a go-to firm for high-profile mandates, with a remarkable wealth of industry-specific expertise. Prominent figures in the firm include IP-focused Yasufumi Shiroyama and tax specialist Koji Fujita.
Client feedback
"Accurate and reliable output and advice." – Banking and finance
"Provides advice which is well balanced between robust logic, economics and practicality, based on deep experience of the market/product as well as a commercial mindset." – Banking and finance
"They gave us advice for structuring and helped with documentation. Their work is very constructive and appropriate." – Banking and finance
"Quick and helpful legal advisory for our overseas business." – Banking and finance
"Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is renowned for its excellence in legal services, and several attributes contribute to its strong reputation: expertise and breadth of practice, client-centric approach, international reach, strong corporate and M&A practice, client trust and longevity." – Banking and finance
"Anderson Mori & Tomotsune excels in corporate transactions, advising on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructuring. Their track record with major clients speaks to their capabilities." – Banking and finance
"Careful scoping, experience with regulatory submissions and regulatory work more broadly, diligence, precise work, advice, and smooth communications are very much appreciated when working with Anderson Mori & Tomotsune." – Banking and finance
"High quality and timely performance. Good understanding of market practice." – Capital markets
"Client-focused team working with flexibility." – Capital markets
" Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has in-depth knowledge of the market and provides guidance based on extensive legal expertise in competition law." – Competition/antitrust
"They are always responsive and cooperative, which makes it easy for us to consult with them." – Competition/antitrust
"They were professional, responsive, to the point, and efficient." – Corporate and M&A
"Planning good lawsuit strategy." – Corporate and M&A
"Fully understanding the characteristics of the airline industry, especially in the cargo field, and properly applying it to Japan Fair Trade Commission." – Corporate and M&A
"Anderson Mori & Tomotsune's understanding of the legal framework and theory is underpinned by its practice and know-how on actual cases from start to finish. They differentiate themselves from other law firms that have focused on documentation work and have less 'field work' experience." – Corporate and M&A
"Reasonable approach and excellent communication with non-Japanese people." – Dispute resolution
"Their team provides clients with speedy services and advice." – Dispute resolution
"Partner gives strategic but practical advice on overall litigation strategy, while managing a huge volume of individual cases consistently." – Dispute resolution
"Experienced in corporate and M&A fields, capable of providing highly insightful advice on transaction structures for clients." – Energy
"They helped us to interpret appropriately the terms of the agreements and enabled us to identify and prepare for risks involved therein." – Intellectual property
"Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is among the largest and most diversified law firms in Japan offering full corporate services. They have a flexible operational structure, and they are effective and efficient, providing solutions to legal issues of any kind." – Investment funds
"Provides reliable legal advice on complex employment law issues. They are always responsive and provide deliverables in a timely manner. Good at supporting clients taking smart risks." – Labour and employment
"Responses are quick and accurate. Excellent understanding of customer situations. Extensive experience in advising on dispute resolution." – Labour and employment
"Because they have lawyers specialised in a wide range of fields, we can consult them on a wide range of issues and receive appropriate solutions." – Labour and employment
"One-stop support including overseas regions (with local offices and local partner offices)." – Media and entertainment
"They have nourished their understanding of our company's business through long relationships and gave us appropriate advice based on such understanding." – Privacy and data protection
"Responsive and value for money." – Real estate
"Good balance between legal and business needs." – Real estate
"Full-service firm. Charges are reasonable. Responsive and quick turnaround time." – Real estate
"Anderson are very expert on securities laws, tax issues, and in understanding how incentive plans operate in Japan. They are also excellent in English, timely in their work delivery, and good value. They are also highly respected in the Japanese market." – Regulatory
Osamu Adachi
"I appreciate the careful scoping, quality of the reviews and advice provided, diligence and responsiveness to queries and requests from myself and my stakeholders, and smooth communications overall by Osamu Adachi and his associate partners and team."
Kei Akagawa
"Strategic planning of the lawsuit."
"Kei Akagawa is good at handling a number of litigations and associated legal issues in a timely manner."
"Kei provides critical key comments in summary, leads his big team effectively, and is flexible with budgets and assignments."
"Litigation and negotiations."
"Deep understanding and immediate response to client requests."
Yoshinori Aoyagi
"Deep insight and good knowledge of industry."
Taro Awataguchi
"Taro's strongest point is that he can put theory into practice by undertaking actual cases where legal interpretations/framework have been challenged. He communicates well. He listens to the client's needs, considers a variety of options for clients to consider, articulates legal nuances and grey zone matters, and communicates quite effectively with legal counsel on the other side of the table."
"Extensive knowledge and experience."
Yukiko Imazu
"Extensive business knowledge. Excellent understanding of customer situations. Provides clear answers. Has the ability to solve problems."
Hiroshi Ishihara
"He has an extensive international network, which helps us resolve any issues arising in overseas jurisdictions."
Naoyuki Kabata
"Technically very sound. Very experienced real estate partner. Responsive to clients' instructions."
Ken Kobayashi
"Expert in real estate financing. He not only has extensive knowledge of the related laws and practices in the market but understands the business needs very well and provides practical solutions. Leverages the knowledge and resources within the firm to effectively achieve a balanced outcome."
"His advice with regard to our business is very practical and constructive. He is also approachable and reliable for finance transactions."
"He has wide and deep knowledge and experience, especially in real estate transaction and financing markets. Business sense is also one of his strengths, which may have been acquired through his experience working on the business side in a global investment bank."
Junichi Kondo
"He always gives us helpful legal advice in a concise manner."
"Very client-oriented and excellent communicator."
Nobuyuki Maeyama
"Extensive legal practice, M&A transactions and compliance advice, trustee in bankruptcy, educational background and international exposure."
Mariko Nagata
"Very useful and quick legal advisory."
Takashi Nakazaki
"He has extensive knowledge and experience, especially in ICT and data privacy law."
Koichi Saito
"Expert in tax and securities laws; good communicator in English; works to tight deadlines; good value."
Kei Sasaki
"Responsive and knowledgeable."
Takehisa Sato
"Deep understanding of the product."
Hironori Shibata
"His advice is clear, logical, well-balanced and reliable. He is the person to go to when dealing with something very challenging."
Reiji Takahashi
"Deep expertise."
Yuhki Tanaka
"Very deep knowledge. Helps take risks."
Akira Tanaka
"Overall strength in tax law."
Daisuke Tanimoto
"Accurate and reliable output and advice."
Ko Wakabayashi
"Deep understanding of Chinese client needs, extensive transaction experience, diligent and responsible."
"Customer focus."
Hiroki Wakabayashi
"Deep knowledge of litigation, including how judges would think about the cases and proceed with the cases."
"He was very professional, responsive, and we loved working with him."
Kiyoko Yagami
"Her attitude is that she positively and accurately tries to understand our requirements on how to approach or explain matters to the Japan Fair Trade Commission."
Atsushi Yamada
"Atsushi has in-depth expertise in competition law and is able to provide clear and actionable guidance on short notice. He always makes himself available and meets deadlines."
Kenichi Yamamoto
"Excellent and polite."
Work highlights
Advised the management of Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings on a groundbreaking ¥710 billion ($4.9 billion) management buyout, the largest of its kind in Japan. The transaction involved a tender offer by Otemon, a vehicle formed by the company's president, to take Taisho private. The transaction's significance extends far beyond its unprecedented financial scale. It stands as a testament to strategic innovation, heralding a new chapter in both the pharmaceutical sector and the broader landscape of M&A activities in Japan. This groundbreaking deal has the potential to focus global attention on Japan's M&A environment, showcasing the nation's robust legal and financial frameworks that facilitate such large-scale, intricate transactions.
Key clients
Mitsui, Mizuho Leasing Company, Ryosan, Takisawa Machine Tool
Work highlights
Advised Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, MUFG Bank, and Aozora Bank as mandated lead arrangers for the senior facility, along with Japanese major banks, mezzanine funds and other financial institutions as mandated lead arrangers for the mezzanine facility, in Toshiba Corporation's ¥2 trillion ($13.9 billion) leveraged buyout (LBO) and privatisation. This complex, cross-border transaction, led by a consortium headed by Japan Industrial Partners, was one of the largest LBOs in Japan, involving over 20 jurisdictions and requiring coordination among numerous stakeholders.
Advised MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as mandated lead arrangers for the senior facility in SHL-Japan's privatisation through a tender offer bid sponsored by UK-based Exponent Private Equity. This cross-border transaction, valued at approximately ¥15 billion, was notable for its English-language negotiations and documentation, as well as its hybrid financial conditions blending global and Japanese local trends.
Key clients
Aozora Bank, Bank of Yokohama, CLSA Capital Partners, MBK Partners
