The Firm recently represented Japan’s Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as issuer, and Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., as guarantor, in connection with the offerings of US$500 million of 1.70% Senior Notes due 2017, US$1.0 billion of 2.65% Senior Notes due 2019, US$500 million of 3.60% Senior Notes due 2024 and US$500 million of Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2017, each pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act. Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. were the joint lead managers for the offering. Mizuho Bank, Ltd. is one of Japan’s largest banks and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, Inc., one of Japan’s largest banking groups. More >>

Goodwin attorneys recently advised an investor consortium in connection with Rakuten Inc.’s announced $1 billion cash acquisition of retail website Ebates. The investor group, which together owns a substantial majority of Ebates, includes August Capital, Canaan Partners and Foundation Capital. The transaction is expected to close in October 2014. More >>

The Tokyo office of the Firm recently represented Seibu Holdings Inc. in connection with its initial public offering on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and global offering to institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

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The Firm recently represented the international managers in connection with the initial public offering of AEON REIT Investment Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which included an international offering pursuant to Regulation S.  The offering raised ¥91.3 billion (approximately $900 million) for the issuer, which was used together with bank financing to acquire an initial portfolio of large-scale retail facilities from the Aeon Group.  Nomura, Mizuho and J.P. Morgan acted as international joint lead managers for the offering.

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Global law firm White & Case LLP is advising Osaka Gas Chemicals Co. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co. Ltd, on its agreement with AddSorb Holding AB to acquire Jacobi Carbons AB, the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of coconut shell activated carbon.

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Davis Polk advised Hitachi, Ltd. as the selling stockholder in connection with an SEC-registered secondary offering of 12,500,000 shares of Western Digital Corporation common stock. Goldman, Sachs & Co. and BofA Merrill Lynch acted as lead book-running managers and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as joint book-running manager for the offering. The total net proceeds to Hitachi from the offering were approximately $810 million.

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Baker & McKenzie has acted for Taiwan-based CTBC Financial Holding Company Ltd. (“CTBC FHC”) on its acquisition of a 98.16% stake in Japan-based Tokyo Star Bank for JPY 52 billion of cash considerations.

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Shearman & Sterling acted as US counsel to Olympus Corporation in its $1.2 billion international offering of shares of common stock pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S.

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The Firm recently represented Sharp Corporation in connection with its offering of 450 million shares of common stock, which included an international offering to institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. The offering raised approximately ¥120 billion.

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Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) welcomes Jeremy White as a new partner, who joined the Tokyo office as of October 24. Mr. White, a Registered Foreign Lawyer (gaikokuho jimu bengoshi), will be working as a member of the Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions practice group and will be involved mainly with cross-border commercial corporate and M&A matters.

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