Real Estate

Real Estate Transactions/Real Estate Investment

Our firm handles a wide range of real estate transactions, from basic transactions such as the sale and lease of real estate, to more complex matters such as property management, real estate construction and development projects, and urban redevelopment projects using land readjustment and urban renewal methods. We cover various types of real estate, including office buildings, residential properties, commercial facilities, logistics hubs, hotels, senior living communities, hospitals, amusement centers, student dormitories, data centers, and infrastructure assets such as power plants. Real estate legal issues are diverse. Even in a straightforward building sale, complexities can arise, such as sectional ownership and co-ownership rights, regulatory challenges under the Real Estate Brokerage Act, various building codes, other administrative regulations, and tax implications. Additionally, land rights often extend beyond simple ownership to include leasehold rights and superficies, each presenting unique challenges. Furthermore, real estate transactions often take the form of sale of trust beneficiary interests, which bring additional considerations under the Trust Act, the Trust Business Act, and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Our firm boasts a team of experienced lawyers who have handled numerous legal issues across diverse real estate transactions. We provide foresighted advice that anticipates practical problems, taking into account the unique circumstances surrounding each property. From the standpoint of Corporate Real Estate (CRE) strategy, we also support transactions aimed at maximizing real estate value. The legal framework related to real estate in Japan often differs fundamentally from overseas legal systems, making it one of the more challenging areas to explain accurately to international clients. However, our extensive experience enables us to clearly advice on Japan's real estate legal system to international clients while considering international legal systems. We are also fully equipped to communicate in English seamlessly. Furthermore, our firm has played a pivotal role in the formation of real estate investment funds and the development of securitization schemes as platforms for real estate transactions since the industry’s early days in Japan. We have led the industry from a legal perspective in highly innovative and pioneering fund and securitization structure formation projects, including Real Estate Security Token Offerings (STOs). We have extensive experience in forming funds and securitization schemes for investment and development in various types of real estate, providing non-recourse loans to these funds and securitization vehicles, establishing commitment lines, and securitizing real estate-backed loans (CMBS). We also have considerable experience in handling disputes and negotiations between parties that arise post-formation of these projects and in dealing with bankruptcies of related parties. Leveraging our experience and proven track record, we provide services from all aspects to domestic and international lenders, fund sponsors and investors, asset management companies, rating agencies, and other clients. These services include examining and advising on legal issues related to structuring, conducting risk analysis, drafting various contracts and disclosure documents, engaging in contract negotiations, and preparing legal opinions.

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