Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is praised by clients for its 'abundant' knowledge and experience of real estate and capital markets related issues, with the highly experienced team exhibiting expertise across the full spectrum of real estate issues, from development and acquisition to leasing and divestment. The firm also leverages its international strength to advise Japanese clients looking to develop or acquire properties overseas. Real estate financing is another key focus area for the team, with practice head Eriko Ozawa advising numerous private real estate funds on investments. Satoru Hasumoto has deep expertise in all forms of financial regulation, while Fuyuki Uchitsu contributes to the team’s security token offerings capabilities. The firm’s strong capital markets practice bolsters the team’s J-REIT offering, with Masahito Saeki having broad knowledge of both Japan and ASEAN REIT markets. The 'outstanding' Takahiro Sato regularly advises private REITs, J-REITs and listed infrastructure funds.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Ability, experience and scale to prepare contracts required for real estate securitization; ability to explain simply and clearly to the person in charge; familiarity with the management of real estate transactions in Japan; flexibility and quick response required to execute transactions; and readiness to respond to the latest legal regulations and trends.’
‘Takahiro Sato is familiar with the practice of securitisation of real estate in Japan. In addition, he assumes Japanese judicial practice and drafts contracts in accordance with the terminology of Japanese law. He does not overestimate his abilities and acts in the interests of his clients, enlisting the help of other lawyers in the firm when necessary.’
‘There is an abundance of excellent human resources. Speedy and accurate responses. They provide a wealth of information and seminars on related work, and offer services that contribute to the client's business even if there is no specific request for work.’
‘Masahiro Saeki is not only familiar with Japanese real estate fund schemes in general, but also with overseas schemes, and can provide appropriate advice when working with overseas funds.’
‘MHM has a deep knowledge of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and Act on Investment Trusts and Investment Corporations, and has accumulated a wealth of these cases, and is able to provide prompt and accurate legal responses in these areas. MHM always obtains information on new legislative, examines their impact on practice, and provides that information to clients quickly.’
‘MHM’s members have abundant knowledge and experience of the real estate and capital market practice and has provided us advice which is not only legally correct but also constructive and practical based on the deep understanding of our business and situations as well as the latest market trends. Saeki is outstanding in the field of J-REITs and listed infrastructure funds. ’
‘Each person in charge presents the best explanations and solutions to the legal questions and problems we want to solve, with a sense of speed and punctuality. Additionally, Masahito Saeki's abundant experience and cross-cutting knowledge in the industry, as well as legal interpretations of issues and proposals for response policies, are extremely helpful in my work.’

Key clients

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited
Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. and Mizuho Bank, Ltd.
Diamond Realty Management Inc.
Mitsubishi Corporation
Goldman Sachs Asset Management Co., Ltd.
PGIM Real Estate Finance
Google Inc.
Government Pension Investment Fund
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.
Baring Private Equity Asia

Work highlights

Advised Hulic on the acquisition of Otemachi Place (East Tower).
Advised a U.S. investment fund on the bulk acquisition of more than 1300 share house properties, together with obtaining real estate financing.
Advised UBS Asset Management on the divestment of Mitsubishi Corp.-UBS Realty.

Lawyers

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