White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) houses a broad team which advises a broad range of real estate clients, including developers, investors, lenders and J-REITS. The team regularly handles both inbound and outbound transactions, assisting domestic and foreign clients on mandates across Japan and overseas as a result. Practice head Mizuho Yamada has vast experience in advising on significant data centre projects across Japan. Real estate expert Ayako Kawano is noted for her longstanding experience in fund formation issues, acquisitions and dispositions and financing deals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The W&C team has long been in the real estate sector in Japan and has full coverage in terms of investment style and relevant asset classes. Has profound knowledge in this space, with good understanding of their client's needs.'
  • 'Mizuho Yamada has long been a partner to my firm as well as for my previous firm and understands what our needs are inside and out. This makes the process very efficient and allows the clients to focus on other parts of the deal without unnecessary concerns.'
  • 'The biggest USP I felt was in depth industrial knowledge and flexibility.'
  • 'Technical knowledge and experience in real estate transactions.'
  • 'Yamada has been very supportive and responsive. Especially in times when there were market uncertainties, his experience and knowledge in the field allowed him to provide comprehensive legal advice to client.'
  • 'The firm is international and is familiar with laws of different countries.'

Key clients

  • ESR
  • Starts Asset Management Co., Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Advised ESR Group in its acquisition of an Osaka data centre asset, as part of a planned $2.15bn project.
  • Advised ESR Group in its joint venture with Stack Infrastructure to develop a new data center campus in Osaka, Japan.
  • Advised Starts Asset Management on its joint venture with Real Estate Sustainability & Energy-Efficiency Diffusion (Re-Seed), a general incorporated association established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of the Environment.

Lawyers

Leading individuals: Bengoshi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mizuho Yamada

Other key lawyers

Ayako Kawano