A&O Shearman makes landmark Tokyo hire with bengoshi debt finance partner

This strategic hire reflects sustained client demand in Japan’s fast-growing private equity, leveraged finance, and private credit markets, driven by increasing inbound M&A activity from global sponsors and demand for sophisticated Japanese-law financing support.

Rintaro brings wide-ranging debt finance experience, including in leveraged finance, energy and infrastructure financing and real estate financing, and regularly acts for lenders supporting global private equity sponsors as well as major energy and infrastructure clients across the globe.

“Rintaro’s appointment is a landmark for our Tokyo office and the Japanese legal market—the first time a finance partner has moved from a Big Four Japanese law firm to an international firm,” said Nick Wall, regional managing partner for Japan and Korea at A&O Shearman. “It gives us a Japanese-law leveraged finance capability that is rare among international firms in Japan. With inbound M&A accelerating, his expertise will position us to meet sustained client demand from private capital investing in Japan.”

Gautam Narasimhan, debt finance partner at A&O Shearman, commented: “Japan is one of the most dynamic private equity markets in Asia, and clients need seamless Japanese-law and international financing support. Rintaro’s cross-border experience will strengthen our Asia-Pacific leveraged finance platform and how we support clients across the region.

“Rintaro’s appointment will enhance our ability to execute complex, cross-border financings for sponsor-backed transactions and deepen our support for private capital clients globally,” added Nicholas Clark, global co-head of debt finance at A&O Shearman.

Rintaro joins A&O Shearman from Nagashima, Ohno & Tsunematsu, one of Japan’s Big Four law firms, where he is currently a partner and a senior member of the finance practice.

Rintaro Hirano will join A&O Shearman at the end of April.