Foreign Qualified Finance Lawyer - Tokyo Law Firm

A leading Japanese full-service law firm is seeking a Foreign Qualified Finance Lawyer to join its Tokyo practice, advising major Japanese and international clients on sophisticated Banking & Finance, Real Estate Finance, Energy Finance, and Infrastructure Finance transactions.

This is a rare opportunity in the Tokyo legal market specifically open to foreign-qualified lawyers, with Japanese language skills not required. Overseas-based lawyers interested in relocating to Japan are also welcome to apply.

You will take an active role in complex domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including data center and renewable energy projects, while independently drafting and negotiating LMA-style financing documentation and working directly with clients, counterparties, and advisers.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate LMA-style loan agreements, credit facilities, and related financing documentation.
• Manage complex Banking & Finance transactions from initial structuring and documentation through negotiation and closing.
• Advise major Japanese and international clients on sophisticated domestic and cross-border financing matters.
• Support transactions across Real Estate Finance, Energy Finance, Infrastructure Finance, data centers, and renewable energy projects.
• Coordinate directly with clients, counterparties, external counsel, lenders, and other professional advisers throughout transactions.
• Take ownership of financing matters while providing commercially focused and practical legal advice.
• Collaborate with lawyers across the firm's Finance and broader transactional practices in Japan and internationally.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• Qualified lawyer in a recognised jurisdiction outside Japan.
• Approximately 6 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) preferred, with flexibility depending on the candidate's background.
• Strong transactional experience in Banking & Finance law.
• Proven ability to independently draft, review, and negotiate LMA-style financing documentation.
• Experience managing complex financing transactions through the full transaction lifecycle.
• Strong track record of working directly with clients, counterparties, external counsel, and professional advisers.
• Excellent legal drafting capabilities in English.

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional attention to detail when reviewing and negotiating complex financing documentation.
• Ability to independently manage transactions, prioritise competing requirements, and take ownership of matters.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder communication skills.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical, business-focused advice.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with lawyers, clients, and advisers across different practices and jurisdictions.

Language Requirements:

• English: Native-level proficiency, including excellent legal drafting, negotiation, and client communication skills.
• Japanese: Not required. Basic Japanese ability may be useful for living and working in Japan but is not a requirement for this position.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in Real Estate Finance, Energy Finance, or Infrastructure Finance.
• Transactional experience involving data centers, renewable energy, power, or other infrastructure assets.
• Experience advising on sophisticated cross-border financing transactions.
• Background with a leading international law firm or major domestic law firm.
• Experience representing major financial institutions, sponsors, investors, developers, or corporate borrowers.

About the Company

Our client is one of Japan's largest and most established full-service law firms, with close to 1,000 lawyers globally, including approximately 60 foreign-qualified lawyers.

The firm combines a prestigious Japanese client base with an expanding international platform, providing its lawyers with exposure to major domestic and global clients and sophisticated Banking & Finance and cross-border transactions.

For foreign-qualified lawyers seeking to establish a long-term career in Japan, the firm provides an unusual opportunity to work at the heart of the Tokyo international legal market without requiring Japanese language proficiency.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Build a long-term legal career in Tokyo without Japanese language requirements.
• Overseas-based foreign-qualified lawyers interested in relocating to Japan are welcome to apply.
• Work on sophisticated Real Estate Finance, Energy Finance, Infrastructure Finance, data center, and renewable energy transactions.
• Advise major Japanese and international clients on high-value domestic and cross-border matters.
• Join one of Japan's leading full-service law firms with a significant community of foreign-qualified lawyers.
• Benefit from a stable and collegiate environment focused on long-term professional development.
• Access genuine career progression opportunities, including a potential pathway to Partnership.
• Receive a competitive ¥25M-¥30M compensation package within the Tokyo international legal market.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!