Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s capital markets practice in Japan has a strong reputation for handling matters on both the debt and equity side for major issuer and underwriter clients. Practice head Takahiro Saito regularly advises issuers and underwriters on global securities offerings by Japanese issuers, including 144A/Reg S offerings and US-registered offerings. With extensive experience advising major Japanese and international financial institutions on a broad range of capital markets transactions, Alan Cannon continues to play a key role in the team. David Snowden, promoted to partner in January 2024, has a varied practice that encompasses IPOs, 144A/Reg S debt and equity offerings, and public offerings in the US.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Takahiro Saito is very knowledgeable about our company and our services. Through his past experience, he is able to make timely and appropriate judgments and advice as to when and what kind of information is necessary.’

  • ‘Taki Saito is an iconic lawyer and a man of the pen! He is highly reliable in his drafting skills.'
  • ‘Takahiro Saito has been involved in many capital markets deals for a long time and has great knowledge about capital markets. David Snowden is very good too.'
  • 'David Snowden's commitment to a transaction and to fostering the next generation are some of the reasons that Simpson Thacher is so competitive.'
  • ‘Simpson Thacher's Tokyo capital markets team is the best in town. They are highly reliable and have a great track record covering various industries from financial institutions to space start-ups.’

  • ‘STB has a long history and profound experience and expertise in Japanese capital markets. It especially excels as adviser to the issuer side and in drafting offering circulars.'

  • ‘I believe that the firm's extensive experience in the capital market is one of its strengths.'

Key clients

  • All Nippon Airways
  • ARUHI Corporation
  • Asahi Group Holdings
  • BofA Securities
  • Citigroup
  • Coincheck, Inc.
  • Daiei Kankyo
  • Dai-ichi Life Insurance
  • Daiwa Securities
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Idemitsu Kosan
  • Intergral Corporation
  • JFE Holdings
  • J.P. Morgan Securities
  • Japan Airlines
  • Kokusai Electric Corporation
  • Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities
  • Mitsui Fudosan
  • Mizuho Bank
  • Mizuho Financial Group
  • Mizuho Securities
  • Monex Group
  • NEC Coproration
  • Nissan Motor
  • Nissin Foods
  • Nomura Securities
  • Norinchukin Bank
  • Roland Corporation
  • SBI Sumishin Net Bank
  • Seven & i Holdings
  • Skymark Airlines
  • SMBC Nikko Capital Markets
  • Socionext Inc.
  • TRYT

Work highlights

  • Advised Kokusai Electric Corporation in connection with its ¥108.3bn (approximately $721m) initial public offering of shares, including an international offering to institutional investors outside Japan pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.
  • Advised the international managers in connection with the ¥83.3bn (approximately $622m) initial public offering of shares of Rakuten Bank, Ltd., including an offering to institutional investors outside Japan pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.
  • Advised SBI Sumishin Net Bank, Ltd. in connection with its ¥49.8bn (approximately $374m) initial public offering of shares, including an offering to institutional investors outside Japan pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners: Gaiben
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Takahiro Saito

Other key lawyers

Alan Cannon, David Snowden