Overview

Mayer Brown has a long history of acting for top-tier Japanese clients. We regularly act as international counsel on Japan-related transactions, sometimes working in collaboration with Japanese law firms. We help our clients identify their strategic priorities and we acquire an in-depth understanding of their specific business challenges.

We represent Japanese companies and financial institutions, as well as Japanese affiliates of US and other non-Japanese companies. Among our Japan-based clients are financial institutions, insurance companies, shipping and freight transportation companies, steel manufacturers and utility companies, as well as multinational conglomerates involved in trading, energy, mining, information technology, transportation and other infrastructure, life sciences and real estate.

Our multilingual, multicultural practice comprises dedicated international practitioners, including native Japanese and Japanese-speaking lawyers and other lawyers who understand Japan’s business practices and culture based on years of experience working in Japan and with Japanese companies around the globe.

Experience

We have a comprehensive track record in assisting Japanese clients across a broad range of practice areas and sectors in Asia, Europe and the Americas, as well as non-Japanese clients in Japan-related transactions. Following is a representative sample:

Advising Japanese clients on outbound M&A and global business expansion. We also assist clients with business integration following mergers and share sales, including advising on corporate and commercial matters involving intellectual property, employment and tax issues.
Advising on projects and infrastructure in the energy, natural resources, mining, transportation and telecommunications sectors involving billions of US dollars.

Advising Japanese banks and financial institutions on loan financing, securitization and litigation.
Advising Japanese banks, syndicated lenders and shipping companies on shipping finance, including LNG tanker financing involving multi-currency loans, as well as charter party agreements and conversion and repair contracts.
Advising Japanese multinational conglomerates on regulatory (including antitrust) approvals and related issues and transactional matters
Advising trading conglomerates and pharmaceutical companies on anti-corruption, public procurement, construction and dispute resolution matters.
Advising insurance and reinsurance companies on transactional and regulatory matters.
Advising on government and global trade matters, including EU and international trade, customs and anti-dumping.
Providing seminars and training for the Japanese Business Council for Europe (JBCE).
Acting for Japanese automotive companies in litigation, class actions, and government investigations, in addressing product liability and regulatory compliance issues and in working with trade groups that include Japanese motor vehicle manufacturer members.