Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is one of Japan’s Big Four independent firms with a history traced back to 1952 as O'Gorman, Nattier & Anderson, before taking its current name following the merger with Tomotsune & Kimura in 2005. The firm has close to 450 attorneys and offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore and Jakarta.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is a leading full-service firm and is strong across the board in financial and corporate transactional matters. It excels in capital markets work where it has a strong reputation in the primary offerings of samurai bonds, uridashi offerings, J-Reits, equity offerings, and international offerings of convertible bonds by Japanese issuers.
Key clients
Key clients of the firm include Apollo Global Management, Bain Capital, Daibiru Corporation, MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Cosmo Energy Holdings, JERA, KOKUYO and Hokuriku Electric Power Company.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
During the research period, the firm has been active in banking, capital markets, M&A, private equity, project finance and project development work.
The banking team was occupied by advising lenders, sponsors, arrangers, and underwriters from Americas, Europe and Asia in various matters, including corporate and syndicated loans, LBO finance, secured transactions, asset finance, factoring, structured finance, acquisition finance and DIP finance.
In the capital markets, the firm was very active advising debt and equity capital markets transactions, both inbound and outbound, including samurai bonds, uridashi offerings, IPOs, convertible bonds, J-REITs, and securitization transactions.
In the corporate sector, the firm was busy representing global financial institutions, multinational corporations and private equity funds in domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Active industries include real estate, projects, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, TMT, fintech and fashion.
In the project space, the team continues to advise on market-leading energy and resources projects, as well as transactions domestically and internationally. The firm was busy assisting clients in relation to a biomass power project, cross-border projects, mega-solar project, and wind projects.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
The $900 million overseas issuance of guaranteed bonds of Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation's update of €20 billion of SMBC Covered Bond Programme.
KKR & Co’s ¥230 billion acquisition of KJR Management.
The 112MW biomass power project in Sendai, Japan.
No. 2 and No. 3 biomass power plants in Hokkaido, Japan.
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023)
Banking
“AMT has been extremely helpful in all the aspects of the deal, by responding and providing us with practical legal advice/opinions in a timely and cost-efficient manner.”
“Good value for money, responsive, provide us with a timely advice, well-written English memo on Japanese law matters.”
“They prepared well-structured and detailed documents.”
Capital markets
“Gave solid advice to cover requirements to expand the business.”
“AM&T knows regulatory requirements and market practice very well. Also understands client's policy and strategy very well.”
“Great knowledge and experience on the capital markets field.”
Financial services regulatory
“Their knowledge is without parallel, and they are able to provide the advice in a practical and effective manner.”
“High-quality service with reasonable fee level.”
Asset finance
“Anderson Mori & Tomotsune provided proper advice for documentation.”
“Deep knowledge.”
Project finance
“AMT has the highest-level skills, knowledge and experience in this area and gave us excellent work product with speed and reasonable fee.”
“Excellent professional advice on project financing, especially in renewable energy sector.”
M&A
“The level of services has been satisfactory in every respect. We are satisfied with their expertise, and prompt and accurate response to the risk of frequent regulatory changes. They have also been very attentive to our communication requirements, and we have been able to receive their advice with peace of mind. In terms of costs, they are flexible and fair in adjusting to different situations, which is very helpful.”
Insolvency
“They provide us with thoughtful responses very quickly in a limited amount of time. The cost is reasonable compared to other foreign law firms. The secretary's handling of related matters such as issuing invoices is very good, too.”
Daisuke Tanimoto
“Good knowledge overall.”
“He has extremely high expertise and practical knowledge and gives us realistic and practical comment based on the client's circumstances in a timely manner. He has a very good personality and is a leader in the industry, but he is friendly and very easy to talk to.”
Eiji Sakai
“Quick response.”
“Very client-orientated, values communication and relationship, and most of all, he provides the best possible solution for his clients.”
Fujiaki Mimura
“He has good acumen in financial transactions. He is a prestigious lawyer in financial society.”
Hiroki Sekibata
“He is a specialist in corporate issues. He responds very proactively.”
Keisuke Hatano
“Prompt and timely advice; well-written English memo; client-friendly; responsive.”
Isao Shindo
“Shindo sensei has industry-leading knowledge and experience for banking and securities regulatory matters in Japan.”
Kunihiko Morishita
“Morishita sensei knows how to deliver the advice we need.”
“In-depth understanding of the applicable legal and regulatory framework and practical interpretation.”
“Morishita sensei has industry-leading knowledge and experience in banking and securities regulatory matters in Japan. He always provides us with practical legal advice/opinions in a timely and cost-efficient manner.”
“In-depth knowledge and understanding of the relevant law and regulations and the industry practice.”
Norifumi Takeuchi
“Norifumi is a seasoned professional with deep knowledge and understanding of our business/product and has excellent skills to suggest reasonable solutions for stakeholders.”
Naoyuki Kabata
“Provided proper advice for documentation.”
Takehisa Sato
“He knows market practice and regulatory requirements very well, and always tries to meet client's requests.”
Reiji Takahashi
“Deep knowledge and expertise on project finance.”
Shintaro Takeoka
“Responsibility and great knowledge.”
