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Akira Takahashi

Partner

Tokyo

Akira has extensive experience advising on complex projects and finance transactions both domestically and internationally. With a focus on MLA/DFI/ECA finance and PPP/PFI, he has advised on some of the most high profile energy and infrastructure projects around the world.

Leveraging a strong track record over decades of advising sponsors, project companies, borrowers, lenders and international and governmental institutions on inbound and outbound Japanese investments, Akira provides strategic and commercial advice and solid documentation throughout the entire lifecycle of projects and financings to key stakeholders.

Clients comment that “Akira is very strong in every aspect” and “demonstrates commercial acuity in challenging situations and is able to help both domestic and international counterparties come around to a common solution.” (Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025)

  • Before joining Orrick, he practiced in an international law firm in Tokyo for 11 years. He also served as senior legal counsel at a multinational energy company’s offshore wind unit in Japan, and spent four years on secondment at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, where he supported their energy and natural resources finance transactions.

  • Project Finance, PPP/PFI

    • A global battery manufacture company on its Gigafactory project financing in France, Japan and UK.
    • Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and commercial banks on project financing to the Warsan waste-to-energy project in Dubai, UAE.
    • Mitsubishi Material Corporation on project financing for a copper mine and processing plant in Chile related to its acquisition of a stake therein.
    • Sumitomo Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Company and United Tractors on the Tanjung Jati B (units 5&6) IPP project in Indonesia.
    • JBIC, NEXI, Export-Import Bank for Korea, certain European ECAs and commercial banks on project financing to Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC (NSRP) in Vietnam.
    • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on project financing to the Tsetsii wind firm in Mongolia.
    • JICA on project financing (co-financed with International Finance Corporation (IFC)) to the Sirajganj combined cycle power project in Bangladesh.
    • JICA on technical assistance for structuring of the Legok Nangka waste-to-energy project in West Java Indonesia.
    • An international airport operator and its bidder consortium members for their bid submission for the Fukuoka airport concession project in Japan.
    • Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development on the Thilawa port terminal project in Myanmar.
    • JBIC on project financing to the Freeport LNG project in the USA, the Donggi-Senoro LNG project in Indonesia, the Barzan Gas project in Qatar, the Azzour North IWPP in Kuwait, Sur IPP in Oman and Shuweihat 3 IPP in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    MLA/DFI/ECA finance

    • JERA Co., Inc. on the borrowing from JBIC and commercial banks for the acquisition of interests in the Scarborough gas field and in the Barossa/Caldita gas field in Australia.
    • IFC and JICA on portfolio financing to Ienova's solar PV power plants in Mexico (co-financed with US DFC).
    • JBIC on acquisition finance to Renesas Electronics Corporation to acquire the Australian company Altium Limited (co-financed with commercial banks).
    • JBIC on equity investment in the Hai Long 2 and 3 offshore wind projects in Taiwan.
    • JBIC on un-tied loan facility to Export-Import Bank of India to onlend to the Indian healthcare sector.
    • JBIC on un-tied loan facility to Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası A.Ş. under the GREEN initiative.
    • JBIC on un-tied loan facility to Corporación Andina de Fomento to support the public health systems and protect the most vulnerable in Latin American region.
    • JICA on providing an Additional Tier 1 Capital convertible loan to Bank of Palestine Produbanco to improve access to finance for MSMEs.
    • JICA on financing to the bank sector in Latin American countries (Ecuador, Costa Rica, Columbia and Brazil) to improve access to finance for and promote the economic empowerment of women in MSMEs and sustainable projects in those countries (parallel financing with IFC or US DFC).
    • JICA on financing to Maynilad Water Services, Inc., water concessionaire of the West Zone of the Greater Manila in Philippines.

    Akira’s experience includes that prior to joining Orrick.