Investment funds: Independent local firms

Nishimura & Asahi

Nishimura & Asahi focuses on domestic funds with overseas investments but has the capacity to assist clients with a range of investment fund matters. Makoto Igarashi and Kei Ito are the pair leading the team; Igarashi has a long history of representing investment managers in connection with fundraising and investment issues. As well as displaying a knowledge of a range of investment funds including investment trusts, the team also assists with traditional asset management activities. Tsuyoshi Ito, Yoshiharu Kawamata and Kohei Ishida are key names in the group; Kawamata is frequently called upon for matters relating to private equity issues, mezzanine financings and infrastructure funds, and Ishida has a strong track record advising on investment fundraising.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Mizuho Capital Partners Co., Ltd.
Longreach Group
Aspirant Group Inc.
Nomura Mezzanine Partners Co., Ltd.
Government Pension Investment Fund, Japan
Pattern Energy Group
Toyota Motor Corporation
Toshiba Corporation
Mitsui & Co., Reality Management Ltd.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Nippon Express Holdings
Star Mica Holdings Co., Ltd.

Work highlights

Advised the general partner of MCP Partners group firms’ establishment of three different types of funds; MCP Capital’s PE fund VI, MCP Mezzanine’s Mezzanine Fund V and MCP Familia’s PE fund.
Acted for Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited as Japanese counsel in its new business alliance with Energy Capital Partners, a US private equity infrastructure manager.
Advised Mitsui & Co. on the Reality Management Ltd. establishment of MBRM Fund, a real estate fund, as part of a joint venture between Mitsui & Co., Ltd., a major Japanese trading house, and Japan Post Insurance Co., Ltd., a member of the Japan Post Group.