Press Release 06.03.25
Pillsbury Adds in Tokyo, Welcoming Cross-border Projects Partner Katsumi Shirai
Japanese-Qualified Bengoshi Brings Focus on Energy and Real Estate Finance Transactions
Katsumi Shirai not only provides due diligence as a legal advisor but also provides effective advice from his abundant experience in order to meet the needs of clients. That is why we always go to Katsumi Shirai.
Katsumi Shirai represents global financial institutions and investment funds and multinational corporations from English- and German-speaking countries in downstream investments across Asia, particularly in Japan.
Katsumi has significant experience in inbound investment for upstream funding structures and in downstream assets and transactions, such as real estate, securitized real estate, renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass and battery storage, CPPA and VPPA, etc.), M&A, structured finance, including PFI/PPP and privatization projects, IR, and private equity deals in connection with securitization structural matters, liquidations and real-estate-related investment trusts (REITs and infrastructure funds), as well as dispute resolution and problem-solving in relation to real-estate-related investment and energy development transactions. His recent experience includes transactions involving solar power and other renewable energy sources, including wind power and biomass, as well as high-profile real estate condominium development/reconstruction.
Representative Experience
- Assisted Fujisaki Electric Co Ltd. (currently GF Corporation) with the development of a bamboo biomass project.
- Represented seamlessly since 2005 an Asian alternative investment management firm in connection with real-estate-related investments, including high-profile real estate investment transactions located in central Tokyo.
- Advised K.K. GAIA POWER (currently GF Corporation) in its construction of a 92 MW solar power plant with four companies.
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- Represented Macquarie Securities Capital Japan seamlessly since 2015 in connection with renewable energy investments/developments, including solar, wind, biomass and battery storage energy projects.
- Advised a NYSE listed global provider of industrial inspection and diagnostic technologies in connection with its $1.78 billion acquisition of Evident’s inspection technologies division, a global leader in non-destructive testing, remote visual inspection and analytical instruments solutions for mission critical assets.
- Acted as securities law counsel to Sanofi in the separation of Opella, its consumer health care business, and the announced sale of a 50% controlling stake.
- Advised a Japanese chemicals group operating globally in over 60 countries, in connection with its acquisition of Quebec-based PCAS Canada Inc., a company that manufactures and sells polymers used in photoresists for semiconductor photolithography, from PCAS S.A., a French company.
Professional Highlights
- Recognized by Chambers Asia-Pacific (Projects & Energy, 2018 – 2021; Real Estate, 2021 – 2025)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (Projects & Energy, 2023 – 2025)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in Japan (Energy Law and Project Finance and Development, 2020 – 2026)
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- Katsumi is a member of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) and has served on many of its committees, including those on civil rights, jury system, gender equality and property management for elderly people.
Education
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LL.M., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, 2003
Executive Management Program, University of Tokyo, 2012
LL.B., Waseda University, 1991
Admissions
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Japan (Daini Tokyo Bar Association)
New York
Courts
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Washington University in St. Louis Judicial Observation Program with Judge Gerald B. Cohn, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
Languages
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Japanese