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Hisao Hirose
Partner
Hisao Hirose has significant experience in structured finance transactions (particularly aircraft finance and other lease transactions), banking and bank regulatory matters, bankruptcy, securities regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate work.
Hisao has represented clients in aircraft finance transactions for more than 25 years including Japanese leveraged leases (JLLs) since 1986 and Japanese operating leases (JOLs) since 1999. Former firms of which he has been a partner include his own office, Law Offices of Hisao Hirose, a boutique law firm for JLLs, and the past 7 years with a full service international law firm. Based on his extensive experience at previous firms, he has been building the aircraft finance practice in Tokyo.
- Representing lessors, arrangers and lessees in a number of leveraged lease and operating lease transactions in Japan.
- Representing Japan-based leasing companies on their respective applications for a license required by Japan's Financial Instruments and Exchange Law (FIEL) and advising on the FIEL.
- Representing Japan-based lessors/borrowers in relation to Japanese operating lease (JOL) transactions involving British Airways Plc’s US$1.7 billion multicurrency debt facility to finance 36 aircrafts. This deal won the “Aircraft Debt Deal of the Year – Europe” award by Jane’s Transport Finance in 2007.
- Representing a consortium of Japan-based lessors in the US$127 million JOL to finance an aircraft for Air New Zealand Limited. This transaction received the “Asia Pacific Aircraft Deal of the Year” in the Airfinance Journal 2006 awards.
- Representing Cable & Wireless plc in its acquisition of International Digital Communications Inc. (IDC) – the first hostile acquisition in Japan.
- Representing the trustees in the corporate reorganization of the international business of Japan Leasing Corporation.
Education
- Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan, Law Degree, 1979
- Waseda University, LL.B., 1976
Languages
- English
- Japanese
- Recommended in Chambers Global 2016 Edition for Banking & Finance in Japan
- Recognized in Chambers Global 2015 as a leading international expert on Banking & Finance, Japan (top tanked)
- Listed in Chambers Asia Pacific 2014 as a leading individual for asset finance in the Asia-Pacific region and Japan.
- Recognized as a leading individual in the field by Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers 2014.
- Hisao is recognized as a leading lawyer for Asia-wide asset finance by Chambers Asia 2008, 2009 and 2010, and is described as being “very respected – one of the best Japanese lawyers in this field.” The Japan Banking and Finance Section of Chambers Asia Pacific 2011 Leading Lawyers for Business includes the following quote from a client: “Hisao Hirose is renowned for his work in relation to aircraft and asset financing. He has ‘excellent knowledge and experience, and we are always immensely satisfied with his assistance.’” Chambers Asia Pacific 2012 Asia – Pacific Region Asset Finance states Hisao Hirose “is very well recognized in the market for his expertise in JOLs and other asset finance transactions. He works with a range of clients, including airlines, low-cost carriers and leasing companies” and in the Japan Banking & Finance Section, “Hisao Hirose is recognized as a leader in the Japanese asset finance market, and is routinely seen on aircraft finance transactions. He has been acting in this practice area for over 20 years, and in addition to the knowledge and experience he can bring to advising clients, interviewees also highlighted his ability to encompass both Japanese and Western business cultures and demands.” Chambers Asia Pacific 2013 Asia-Pacific Region Asset Finance notes that Hisao is praised by sources for his work in the Japanese market, where he is said to be "one of the top guys" for aviation finance. Hisao is also listed as a leader in his field in Japan.