Nobuharu ONISHI

Introduction

Nobuharu (Nobu) Onishi is a leading partner in the asset management and investment funds practice group at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto. The group comprises four partners, three counsel and 16 associates and 35 paralegals. In 2024, the team handled 13 out of 19 public offering deals for newly issued units or shares of foreign investment funds in Japan.

His expertise covers all aspects of investment funds and financial regulations, advising an international client base, with a particular focus on the US, the EU, Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands.

Nobu has substantial experience in advising alternative investment fund managers and similar entities on contract drafting and regulatory compliance, including filing notifications and engaging with Japanese authorities regarding the admission of Japanese investors. He has also advised on various innovative funds, including investment funds aimed at products with less liquidity, such as private equity and real estate. He has advised on the formation and fundraising of domestic and overseas private equity and venture capital funds.

He has provided guidance to the Financial Services Agency and the Japan Securities Dealers’ Association (JSDA) during the introduction of new regulations for foreign investment funds concerning derivative transactions and diversification requirements. He also assisted the JSDA in prescribing the new regulations in accordance with the Asia Region Funds Passport’s Memorandum of Co-operation, which the Japanese government signed.

He is a frequent speaker on investment funds at conferences and seminars. He has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the investment fund practice in Japan, ranked frequently by publications such as Legal 500 and Best Lawyers, and has been ranked as a Band 1 investment funds lawyer in Chambers Asia Pacific. One Chambers commentator noted: “Nobuharu Onishi acts for an enviable roster of asset managers, multinational corporations and top-tier financial institutions.” Another added: “He possesses a lot of experience related to the offshore funds and also has communication skills to align with the recipients. He has exceptional knowledge, extensive experience and practical solution derivation to provide the best legal services.”