In Tokyo we have more than 20 Japan-qualified lawyers (bengoshi) and international lawyers with a wide range of real estate-related expertise including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, financing, J-REIT, development and tax in the retail, industrial, residential, resort and mixed-development markets. We are a multi-disciplinary and integrated real estate team from a number of practice areas, including real estate investments, capital markets, banking & finance, tax, corporate, environmental, major projects, litigation and dispute resolution. We can provide the real estate-related legal services you need, where and when you need them. With our collaborative culture and advanced technologies, we work seamlessly across time zones, markets and cultures to deliver real estate legal solutions that work. The Group has extensive experience in the following areas: ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS Buyers and sellers of fee and entrusted real estate benefit from our knowledge of local markets and advice which goes beyond basic legal requirements. COMMERCIAL & NON-RECOURSE FINANCE Lenders and borrowers depend on us when financing transactions, negotiating loan portfolio sales, workouts, and loan syndications and participation. TAX We advise on how to structure and plan transactions to minimize state, national and international tax exposure using TMK, GK-TK and other structures. COMMERCIAL LEASING We advise landlords and tenants on commercial leasing activity. DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION LAW We advise on the construction and development of real property, from inception to completion. MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES We advise banks, rating agencies, sellers, issuers and underwriters on all aspects of commercial mortgage securitizations. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS We apply our real estate, corporate and tax knowledge to advise on the creation and operation of public and private funds investing in real estate worldwide. REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (PUBLIC & PRIVATE) We advise international and domestic investors, global property funds, publicly listed real estate companies, investment banks and commercial banks on a full range of real estate investment-related transactions in the commercial, industrial, retail and residential sectors. HOTELS, RESORTS AND TOURISM We advise on the acquisitions, dispositions, development and management of hotels, theme parks, resorts, private residence clubs, timeshare projects, and gaming and alcohol licensing. ENVIRONMENTAL COUNSELING Clients depend on us for risk assessments, compliance and permitting matters. DISPUTES We are experienced in complex litigation, including dissolutions, insolvencies and workouts, environmental matters, and construction disputes. Represented a US-based investment company in relation to a JPY50 billion securitization of assets on a Japanese hotel through a TMK structure. Assisted a Japanese real estate company with the disposition of a commercial building located in Tokyo based on a TMK scheme under the Asset Liquidation Law. Advised a global hotel group in Japan on its agreement with a Japanese storage and transportation company to manage a new hotel in Japan. Advised a global hotel group on its hotel operating partnership with Japan’s largest domestic carrier. Represented a US-based real estate fund in the acquisition of a hotel in Okinawa using a TMK structure. Represented a US-based real estate fund in relation to their portfolio of refinancing certain resort hotel chains through TMKs. Represented a US-based real estate fund in relation to the liquidation of a loan portfolio for a hotel chain. Acted on behalf of major Japanese and foreign banks and financial institutions with regard to the financing on the acquisition of Universal Studios Japan through a TOB. The entrustment, acquisition and non-recourse financing for the acquisition of a broad range of real estate assets, including office buildings, a warehouse facility, high-rise condominiums, a shopping mall and residential facilities. Represented a Japanese hotel group in the acquisition of a hotel in Hokkaido. Acted as counsel to an underwriter candidate where the portfolio consisted of hotel assets. Representing a Japanese bank on non-recourse acquisition financing of a hotel in Tokyo by a Japanese real estate investment company and a major Japanese real estate and hotel company for a mixed-use commercial and residential redevelopment project. Representing a Japanese bank on senior loans as a co-arranger for a US-based real estate investment company’s acquisition of 13 hotels and their holding companies from Japan’s largest domestic carrier. List of Professionals Abe, Shinichiro Eguchi, Naoaki Hodgens, Chris Hosokawa, Akiko Ikeda, Seishi Ishii, Tadashi Jampel, Alexander Kitamura, Shinichiro Koma, Fumio Ogasawara, Haruhiko Oka, Ryutaro Raftery, Gavin Sasaki, Toshio Sumiya, Hitoshi