Linklaters Strengthens Corporate Practice in Japan with Partner Hire from Nishimura & Asahi

Linklaters Strengthens Corporate Practice in Japan with Partner Hire from Nishimura & Asahi

Linklaters has strengthened its corporate practice in Japan by welcoming a new partner from prominent local firm Nishimura & Asahi.

Yoshiyuki Asaoka specialises in inbound and outbound M&A, strategic transactions, corporate governance, and corporate litigation. With expertise in Japanese law, he primarily focuses on the private equity, financial services, and TMT (technology, media, and telecommunications) sectors.

Sophie Mathur, Linklaters' Asia head of corporate, expressed her delight in welcoming Yoshiyuki to the firm's corporate practice.

“His arrival will enhance the joint-law capability of our Tokyo corporate practice and will bolster our capabilities and client servicing in Japan and across our network,” Sophie Mathur said.

Asaoka has become the ninth partner to join Linklaters in Tokyo, where the firm boasts a team of over 45 lawyers. His expertise complements the office's strong capability in cross-border transactions, particularly in the field of capital markets.

The Tokyo team is recognised for its ability to facilitate transactions involving the European market, as highlighted by Chambers, and regularly handles a wide range of inbound and outbound deals for prominent international clients.

Notable recent transactions include providing counsel to the underwriters concerning Nippon Steel Corporation's issuance of ¥300 billion zero coupon convertible bonds and advising French private equity firm Ardian on the establishment and private placement of Clean H2 Infra Fund, which stands as the world's largest investment fund for clean hydrogen infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yoshiyuki to our Tokyo office. His combination of skills and experience will reinforce our standing as an integrated dual law team and allow us to continue supporting our clients on their strategic growth and investment,” Peter Frost, Linklaters’ Japan managing partner, added.