Senior Associate – Real Estate & Construction

Senior Associate – Real Estate & Construction at Nishimura & Asahi

Nishimura & Asahi's Real Estate & Construction Practice Group in Otemachi, Tokyo, is seeking a senior bengoshi with substantial experience in real estate transactions, development projects, and construction disputes. The firm is Japan's largest and advises on many of the country's landmark real estate transactions.

About the Role

You will advise developers, REITs, institutional investors, and financial institutions on complex real estate transactions including acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and REIT/fund structuring. The role requires mastery of the Civil Code (民法 / Minpō) provisions on real property, the Building Standards Act (建築基準法), the Land and Building Lease Act (借地借家法), and the Act on Investment Trusts and Investment Corporations (投資信託法).

The Otemachi office is in the heart of Tokyo's financial and commercial real estate hub, giving you direct access to the major developers, J-REITs, and real estate funds headquartered in the area. You will also handle construction law matters, including disputes under Japan's Construction Business Act (建設業法).

Practice Areas

• Real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and development projects
• J-REIT structuring, offerings, and ongoing compliance
• Real estate fund formation and private placements
• Construction contracts and dispute resolution
• Leasing law and tenant disputes under the Land and Building Lease Act (借地借家法)

• Lead real estate transactions from structuring through closing
• Advise on J-REIT compliance, offerings, and asset management agreements
• Draft and negotiate sale and purchase agreements, lease agreements, and development contracts
• Conduct due diligence on real property including title, zoning, and environmental compliance
• Handle construction disputes and advise on construction contract claims
• Mentor junior associates and manage transaction teams
• Develop client relationships and contribute to business development

• Registered bengoshi (弁護士) with the JFBA (日本弁護士連合会)
• 8-15 years of post-qualification experience in real estate, construction, or related transactional law
• Deep expertise in real property law under the Civil Code (民法) and Land and Building Lease Act (借地借家法)
• Experience with J-REIT transactions and the Act on Investment Trusts (投資信託法)
• Knowledge of the Building Standards Act (建築基準法) and City Planning Act (都市計画法)
• Working-level English for cross-border real estate matters
• Client management and business development experience