Yuko Inui

Partner

Tokyo

Yuko is a member of the Energy and Infrastructure Group. Her practice mainly focuses on the development, project financing and secondary transaction of renewable energy projects, including offshore and onshore wind, and solar projects, as well as related permits and real estate work. She also has experience with environmental and fintech matters.

As of April 2024, Yuko has conducted legal due diligence for clients on 54 solar projects (total 1692MW) and 30 wind projects (total 2257MW) in Japan, including Japan’s largest solar project (235MW) and Japan’s largest wind project (121.6MW).

Yuko has been appointed as special member of the Environmental Preservation Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations every year since 2006.

In 2024, Yuko was recognized as Next Generation Partner for Japan in Projects and Energy: International Firms and Joint Ventures category by Legal 500 Asia Pacific.

    • Pattern Energy Group LP in the sale of its directly-owned Japanese assets and 100% of its interest in Green Power Investment Corporation to NTT Anode Energy Corporation and JERA Co., Inc. This is the largest deal ever for a renewable energy company in Japan.
    • Obton, a Danish investor in sustainable technologies specializing in photovoltaics, in its first investment in Japan, consisting of the acquisition of a 30.9 MW photovoltaic plant in operation in Shirakawa, Fukushima prefecture, and the subsequent refinancing with NORD/LB Singapore Branch and Denmark's Export Credit Agency (EKF).
    • A Large Japanese Utility Company in connection with its joint venture arrangement and investment in an onshore wind project in Japan.
    • A Japanese Leading Renewable Energy Company in obtaining necessary permits and authorizations in connection with an offshore wind project in the northern part of Japan.
    • Green Power Investment in setting up a joint venture arrangement with a Japanese utility company in connection with a portfolio development of onshore and offshore wind developments.
    • Setouchi Future Creations LLC, a special-purpose company consisting of GE Energy Financial Services, Toyo Engineering and Kuni Umi Asset Management, in securing $1.1 billion syndication debt and equity financing for Japan’s largest solar facility (235MW).
    • Green Power Investment Corp. in its development of a 121.6 MW wind energy project in Japan. The project is located in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture in the northern part of Japan. The commercial operation started in April 2020 and it is the largest wind energy project in Japan.
    • Multiple investors in the development of, and the over JPY 10 billion syndicated project financing for, one of the largest mega-solar projects in the Kanto area surrounding Tokyo.
    • Prepared legal memorandum on offshore wind projects in general sea area (ippan kai-iki).
    • U.S.-based renewable energy companies in a large corporate restructuring (including business transfer) project.
    • Assisted a client in speeding up the process of a delayed permits issue of a solar power project.
    • A Real Estate Company in the composition of a crowdfunding platform.