In recent years a massive shift in the treatment of corporate reorganization has taken place in Japan with both the number of businesses faced with involuntary reorganization on the rise and an increase in the number of business that recognize a tax, legal or business necessity for a strategic restructuring, which is frequently the case for businesses with cross border operations.  Hashidate Law Office works with clients to optimize the overall effects of a reorganization or restructuring on all aspects of a client’s business with a strategic focus on current and future business goals.  In response to client needs, Hashidate Law Office has developed and utilized transactional structures and techniques, as well as, adapted foreign techniques to the Japanese legal environment. 

Hashidate Law Office extends to its clients many years of experience in domestic and international corporate restructurings and reorganizations including bankruptcy, debtors and creditors’ issues, exchange offerings, strategic restructurings, spin-offs, divestitures, and other techniques for maximizing value.  Hashidate Law Office’s familiarity with both domestic and international laws allows the firm to act quickly and to anticipate obstacles presented in restructurings and reorganizations.

Through decades of international experience and involvement in complex mergers and acquisitions, Hashidate Law Office has gained international renown for its mergers and acquisitions practice.  Hashidate Law Office’s reputation in mergers and acquisitions emerged from the firm’s utilization of creativity and innovation in the composition of mergers and acquisitions coupled with a thorough understanding of the relevant laws and governmental policies.  Hashidate Law Office served as legal advisor for the first management buyout transaction in Japan and conducted negotiations and prepared documentation for the transaction in conjunction with parties in the United States.

Mergers and acquisitions are legally complex and incorporate a broad range of related disciplines.  Hashidate Law Office recognizes the necessity of understanding a client’s goals and the need for creativity in helping a client achieve such goals through the implementation of a merger or acquisition.  In response to a client’s needs, which could not be sufficiently satisfied by existing mergers and acquisitions techniques, the firm developed a new type of merger and acquisition technique tailored to Japanese business practices, which prevents immediate acquisition by a foreign purchasing party.  Using this technique, the firm advised on the merger and acquisition structure of a domestic hotel group by gradual investments of foreign capital. 

No matter the size or complexity of the transaction, often a critical component of a merger or acquisition is time-sensitivity.  Hashidate Law Office’s experienced team of attorneys and its creation of a network of top law firms from around the world enable Hashidate Law Office to respond to time sensitive matters with superior efficiency. 

Hashidate Law Office’s mergers and acquisitions practice includes advising clients on the negotiation and documentation of agreements including, among others, letters of intent, commitment letters, and memorandums of understanding; stock purchase agreements; asset purchase agreements; consortium agreements; joint venture agreements; corporate dissolutions; corporate division; negotiated transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, stock or asset purchases and leveraged buyouts; tender offers; proxy fights; transactions involving changes in corporate control; recapitalizations; and acquisitions of financially troubled companies.　

Hashidate Law Office represents Japan’s leading securities firm and several top international securities firms in both Japanese and international matters.  Utilizing its vast experience in securitization, derivatives and structured finance transactions, Hashidate Law Office provides clients with innovative solutions to both routine and complex issues.  Recently, Hashidate Law Office represented a client through the development and issue of a new type of repackaged note, which was performed for the first time in Japan.  Hashidate Law Office’s clients receive the full advantage of the reputation of respect, trust and credibility which Hashidate Law Office has established with other firms and institutions throughout the years.

Hashidate Law Office’s practice ranges from traditional bond and commercial paper issues, denominated in a variety of currencies including TSE Index Warranty Bonds, Synthetic Eurobonds and Collateralized Bonds, to complex bond issues and securities based on options and futures.  Further, Hashidate Law Office advises clients on lease and cashing bonds, securitization of real estate, legal structures for funds utilizing tax havens, purchase, sale and transfer of securities under the Japanese Securities & Exchange Law, development, structuring and execution of complex financings involving securitization, derivatives and other regulated techniques. 

The internationalization of Japanese securities markets has created a need for companies to strictly disclose information and comply with securities laws.  Hashidate Law Office’s long history of dealing with Japanese securities laws and the firm’s familiarity with compliance in multi-jurisdictional matters enable the firm to swiftly orchestrate a client’s compliance with all securitization issues including the placing of domestic securities, IPOs, the examination of underwriting in Japan for domestic and foreign securities companies, procedures required by the Ministry of Finance and the Tokyo Stock Exchange to list securities and the preparation of legal documentation necessary for Japanese companies to list their stocks or bonds on foreign securities markets.　

Hashidate Law Office has represented leading domestic, international, commercial, long-term credit, and trust banks in many of the largest and most complex transactions completed in the international banking and finance markets.  In keeping pace with the rapid deregulation of Japan’s financial markets, Hashidate Law Office has assumed a leading role in these evolving markets through the firm’s counsel to financial institutions expanding into new areas of business and newly created finance markets, foreign banking firms entering the Japanese markets, and clients developing and implementing new financial instruments.  Through the shifting Japanese and international markets, the firm’s innovative approaches to both new and traditional problems have been an asset to its clients. 

Hashidate Law Office’s in-depth knowledge of comparative law in finance and banking regulations in the United States, the European Union and throughout Asia coupled with over 25 years of international practice, including the development of a network of top law firms from around the globe and substantial experience transacting matters in a number of different languages, have established the firm as a top choice for clients seeking both superior banking and financing advice and a firm with the capacity to execute transactions swiftly and precisely. 

Hashidate Law Office has the legal and practical experience to guide clients through every step, from origination and negotiation to documentation and closing, of both domestic and cross-border transactions including sovereign loans, syndicated and multi-currency loans, currency and interest rate swap agreements, derivative and collateral agreements for swap transactions, asset-based financing transactions, letters-of-credit and other trade finance facilities, investment grade bank and non-investment grade credit facilities, portfolio sale transactions, and other banking and finance transactions.

Hashidate Law Office has been recognized many times throughout the years as a leader in the area of project finance and capital markets and has received numerous awards for its work in this specialized area.  Hashidate Law Office has taken the forefront in this area of law and represented some of the top businesses in project finance and capital markets transactions.  Hashidate Law Office has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of project finance and capital market matters and provides clients with the advantage of the firm’s substantial experience and expertise in developing innovative strategies and structuring transactions. 

Hashidate Law Office was instrumental in the introduction of American and other foreign leasing structures to the Japanese market and was among the first participants in the research and development of various airplane lease transactions in the 1980s including the Shogun Lease (purchase and installment sale-back), the Kagonuke Lease (square trip transaction) and the Japanese Leveraged Lease.  Hashidate Law Office has also represented leading Japanese leasing companies, foreign banks, and other financial institutions, which were key participants in these transactions.  Further, the firm developed the legal techniques that adapted several foreign leasing transaction structures to the Japanese legal system. 

Hashidate Law Office’s representation of clients ranges from start-up business to leading multinational commercial enterprises.  The firm’s expertise and ability to offer insightful legal and practical recommendations have long been key attractions to clients.  Hashidate Law Office’s team has represented some of Japan’s top corporations through an array of project finance and capital markets matters including financing aircraft, locomotives, autobuses, rolling stock, power plants, telephone switchboards, and cable ships, establishing mortgages on foreign flag vessels and conducting proceedings for the seizure and auction of those vessels.  Recently, the firm was involved in the development of a wind power project.  These transactions are usually global in scope and the parties typically include international airlines, governmental authorities and other major multinational entities. 

Further, Hashidate Law Office handles financing for the acquisition of private and public companies; financing of asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities; leveraged recapitalization financings; transferring of lease obligations; financing and negotiating the restructuring of lease transactions including the arrangement of letters of credit, the issuance of certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, and bank guarantees; establishing an international credit card cooperative; and advising on financial subsidiaries.　

Hashidate Law Office has achieved an international presence through its superior representation of clients in all phases of intellectual property issues ranging from the planning and inception of ideas to the licensing, prosecution and litigation of intellectual property.  Over the years, Hashidate Law Office has representing some of the top firms and industries both in Japan and from around the world.  A key element for representation in these matters includes counseling on both domestic and international intellectual property exploitation strategies and patent and technology portfolio strategies.  Hashidate Law Office actively advises clients on licensing and trademark rights and drafts cross-border agreements regarding the use and transfer of intellectual property rights.  Currently, Hashidate Law Office is representing a manufacturing giant in an international patent infringement and nullification case which is being litigated in the United States, Japan and Germany.  In another recent matter, Hashidate Law Office counseled a top international pharmaceutical company through the process of nullifying another company’s patent and the successfully prosecuting a similar patent. 

Hashidate Law Office has responded to the rapid development of internet and electronic commerce by assuming a position at the forefront of the emerging field and providing cutting edge representation to its clients.  The firm was actively involved in the development of standard internet and electronic agreements and the electronic management of stock trades and securities.

Hashidate Law Office has advised clients on the full spectrum of intellectual property and technology law including technology transfers and licensing, outsourcing licensing agreements, patent prosecution, litigation, trademark and copyright registration, sale, acquisition, and secured financing of intellectual property rights in fields ranging from pharmaceutical to manufacturing to semiconductors. 

As businesses and transactions have become increasingly complex and globally integrated, alternatives to litigation and swift resolutions to disputes have become a quintessential element of a successful business.  At this juncture in the global marketplace, an entity may be exposed to the laws of various jurisdictions in a single business transaction or legal matter.  Properly preparing for and thoroughly carrying out alternative dispute resolution procedures produces better results, which are more timely, predictable and cost-effective than reliance upon litigation.  With over 25 years of practice, Hashidate Law Office has extensive experience representing its domestic and international clientele through alternative dispute resolution procedures ranging from the routine to the very sophisticated. 

Hashidate Law Office has a complement of attorneys with the experience and faculty to effectively manage, negotiate and resolve disputes through the various types of alternative dispute resolution procedures.  Working together with clients during the preliminary phases of a transaction, Hashidate Law Office attorneys implement measures to both avoid disputes and allow for the amicable resolution of any disputes which may occur; thereby keeping in concordance with the firm’s stress on the importance of assisting clients to maintain long-term business relationships.  In the contingency of a dispute, the client benefits from the firm’s practical experience acquired from its participation in many diverse domestic and international alternative dispute resolutions.  The firm’s attorneys have pioneered strategies which work within the bounds of each alternative dispute resolution and emphasize incorporating measures to not only produce the best result for the client but also protect the client in the aftermath of such dispute.

Often involving the heart of a business and monopolizing the time of key personnel, antitrust and unfair competition matters have the potential to devastate a business.  In recent years Japan has seen an increase in competition issues due, in part, to the lifting of a prohibition on the formation of holding companies, relaxation of amalgamation examination standards, internationalization of distribution systems and the entry of foreign companies into Japan’s domestic markets. 

Hashidate Law Office has vast experience handling the full spectrum of both domestic and international antitrust and unfair competition matters.  The firm’s experience with international competition issues and practical understanding of the complexity and contours of such issues, including the resolution thereof, have led past and current clients to actively seek Hashidate Law Office’s counsel on specific methods to both avoid future legal and business repercussions which a contemplated transaction may expose the client and to maximize the availability of practical business options to the client.  Through its in-depth understanding of the client’s business in conjunction with the substantive laws and the processes through which the laws are applied, Hashidate Law Office provides superior service to clients entangled in a pending competition action by utilizing innovative strategies to guide the client while minimizing the effects of such action on the client’s business.

The relaxing of global business barriers in conjunction with greater exposure to the international marketplace has provided commercial enterprises with new sets of labor and employment laws to be navigated.  For over 25 years, Hashidate Law Office has been guiding clients through the many issues presented when Japanese companies expand their businesses overseas or when foreign companies enter the Japanese marketplace.  The firm handles both the domestic and international compliance with labor laws including the development and drafting of administrative policies such as internal policies for dealing with harassment complaints.  While disputes may be a reality of labor law, Hashidate Law Office has extensive experience in the resolution of such disputes through the utilization of both business and legal solutions.  The firm has represented parties on both sides of labor disputes and thus understands each party’s motivations during negotiations and the elements critical to an ultimate resolution.  Utilizing its experience, Hashidate Law Office represented a client through complex labor negotiations with unions and employees regarding the client’s restructuring and the subsequent laying off and transferring of its existing employees.

Hashidate Law Office counsels its clients on labor issues including drafting executive employment agreements; handling legal problems arising from the discharge of employees; requirements regarding the hire and discharge of employees; discrimination; wrongful termination; employee testing, promotion and compensation; temporary transfer of employees; and unions matters.

Hashidate Law Office is involved in all domestic and international facets of the art and entertainment industries including music, art, fashion, television and movies.  Through its 25 years of experience, Hashidate Law Office has achieved a breadth of knowledge and practical understanding of art and entertainment law, allowing Hashidate Law Office to advise its clients with an insider’s acumen of the full effect of contemplated decisions and the progression of related transactions. 

Over the years, businesses and individuals involved in the art and entertainment industries have entrusted their works and careers to Hashidate Law Office, whose current representation includes the world’s largest art auction house and internationally renowned artists.  Further, Hashidate Law Office’s previous representations include the negotiation and preparation of both domestic and international agreements regarding the production, reproduction, and distribution of motion pictures and television shows, the international sale and purchase of works of art, and the establishment of concert venues.

As a component of its international practice, Hashidate Law Office advises clients on areas of Japanese and international immigration law.  Whether clients specifically seek legal advice for immigration matters or immigration is tangential to a client’s primary legal concerns, immigration law presents serious issues with far-reaching consequences.  Immigration errors may have devastating effects on an individual or company, with some errors taking years to remedy.  Hashidate Law Office’s 25 years of immigration practice has given the firm the practical experience and the foresight, to not only address the problems of a client, but also to anticipate future legal issues and thereby avoid much graver repercussions.  Hashidate Law Office advises clients on immigration law in areas ranging from the preparation of visas and representation of clients before immigration authorities to advising multinational commercial enterprises on the most advantageous manner for expanding overseas including the transfer of employees and executives between business entities.