A&L Goodbody has had long, established relationships with Japanese companies investing in Ireland since the 1980s. In the past, the law firm assisted Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Minebea Mitsumi Inc., among others, in setting up their operations. It also acted for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. on its acquisition of RBS Aviation Capital in 2012 and advised Sumitomo Corp. on its 751 million euro acquisition of Fyffes Group in 2017.
Aside from providing corporate advice, A&L Goodbody also advises many Japanese clients on Irish employment, pension matters and energy and infrastructure projects.
Japanese financiers that sought the services of the firm on lending and leasing transactions in Ireland include Marubeni Corp., Sumitomo Corp., Itochu Corp., Kanematsu Corp., Ryoshin, MCAP Inc., Orix Corp., Tokyo Century Corp., FPG Investment, Tokyo Star Bank Ltd., Development Bank of Japan Inc., ITC AeroLeasing and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. It has also gained a global reputation for its expertise on aviation and asset finance.
“Through our extensive experience in acting for Japanese investors and companies in Ireland, A&L Goodbody has developed a deep understanding of Japanese business culture and Japanese investors’ expectations of their Irish legal advisers. We look forward to continuing to work with some of Japan’s leading corporations in assisting and advising on all matters related to their investment opportunities in Ireland,” said Chairman Catherine Duffy.