Makiko Harunari

Makiko Harunari, Head of the Firm’s Asia Banking and Credit Practice, and Fund Finance Of Counsel Mary Touchstone have been recognized by the Fund Finance Association (FFA) as part of its 2025 Industry Awards.~~Makiko was recognized with the Annual Contribution to the Industry Award, which honors individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the prior year and demonstrated outstanding overall contribution to the fund finance industry, their firms and clients. She currently serves as Co-Deputy Chair of the FFA’s Asia Pacific Executive Committee, and she previously served as Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific Committee of Women in Fund Finance in 2018 and 2019. Over the past year, Makiko played an instrumental role in developing the FFA’s first-ever conference in Japan. Held in Tokyo in April, “FFA: Japan” is the first non-English event hosted by the Fund Finance Association and conducted fully in Japanese, featuring a dozen speakers from across the fund finance space, including prominent figures from local and international law firms, financial services and leading fund sponsors. Makiko is also helping to guide preparations for this year's iteration of “FFA: Japan,” which is scheduled to take place in May, 2025.~~Mary was honored with the Julian Black Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate dedication to selfless service of the fund finance industry. Mary was recognized for her accomplishments as the former Head of Simpson Thacher’s Fund Finance Practice as well as for her pioneering work in the space, which has included representing many of the world’s preeminent fund sponsors in connection with billions of dollars in financings. Mary was also recognized for her advocacy on behalf of women in the fund finance space and in the legal profession more broadly.~~To view the list of winners, please click here. For more information about the Fund Finance Association, please click here.

Feb 26

1 min

Makiko Harunari, Head of the Firm’s Asia Banking and Credit Practice, and David (Dave) Azcue, Co-Head of the Firm’s Private Funds Practice in Japan, will be speaking as part of the Fund Finance Association’s (FFA) first ever Japan event, which will be held on April 25, 2024 in Tokyo. Makiko will facilitate the forum and Dave will moderate a panel titled “Fund Formation in Japan: Bankability and Fund Finance“ to discuss various aspects of fund finance in Japan, including interest among Japan-focused fund managers, tax and regulatory challenges, and future opportunities for the industry.~~For more information on the conference, please click here.

Sep 4

1 min

Simpson Thacher was recognized in multiple categories as part of the FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2024. Makiko Harunari, Head of the Firm’s Asia Banking and Credit Practice, was also named “Best Legal Advisor (Hong Kong SAR).” Makiko was recognized for her work advising on the financing aspects of complex transactions throughout the Asia-Pacific region, recently including Blackstone’s A$24 billion acquisition of AirTrunk. That acquisition, which was Blackstone’s largest ever investment in the Asia Pacific region, was also named FinanceAsia’s “Best Infra Deal,” “Best PE Deal” and “Best Property Deal” for Australia/New Zealand.~~Several other matters on which the Firm advised were also named among FinanceAsia’s Deals of the Year:~~Held annually, the FinanceAsia Achievement Awards recognize excellence across Asia’s financial markets and the accomplishments of the region’s key players who have shown dedication to their sector. Winners were recognized at an awards ceremony held in Hong Kong on February 26.

Mar 3

1 min

Makiko Harunari, Head of the Firm’s Asia Banking and Credit Practice, participated at the virtual Fund Finance Association’s (FFA): Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Market Update on June 25th. Makiko spoke on the market updates in the Japan funds and fund finance market.~~For more information on the virtual event, please click here.

Jun 28

1 min

Simpson Thacher is representing Blackstone in connection with its sale of Alinamin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Alinamin”) to MBK Partners. Blackstone will re-invest a minority stake in Alinamin upon closing of the sale. Terms of the transaction were not otherwise disclosed.~~Alinamin is a leading consumer healthcare company in Japan focusing on supplements and nonprescription drugs. The Firm also represented Blackstone on its acquisition of Alinamin in 2021 from Takeda Pharmaceutical.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Anthony King, Sonya Ho, Paul Kim and Tiffany Shih (M&A); Étienne Renaudeau, Sarah Chaudhuri and Luke Cowdell (Antitrust); Makiko Harunari and Chenyu Cui (Banking & Credit); Meredith Jones and Paul Jansch (Tax); Ron Ben-Yehuda (Intellectual Property); Steven Klar and Richard Zhang (Funds); and Gregory Grogan and Pasco Struhs (ECEB).

Oct 7

1 min