Image of Hitomi Komachi

Hitomi Komachi

Partner

Email

hitomi.komachi@aoshearman.com

Phone

+81 3 4567 3314

Offices

Tokyo

V-CARD
Hitomi has extensive experience advising on a wide range of project development and financing transactions in the energy and infrastructure sector.

She also has complementary acquisition financing and restructuring experience in the lifecycle of energy and infrastructure assets.

She regularly acts for sponsors, export credit agencies, development financing institutions and financiers globally on innovative first in kind transactions.

She is a co-founder and a core member of the Hydrogen Interest Group, the firm's internal global network of practitioners sharing know-how and experiences on energy transition opportunities. Hitomi advises on hydrogen, ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and e-methanol projects for global shipping companies, trading companies and developers, in addition to her traditional practice advising on renewable power, LNG and petrochemical and refinery projects. She regularly contributes to publications on energy transition and energy security, including as part of the firm's Financing the gap: a blueprint for decarbonisation and Reflections on COP series.

Hitomi has been recognized as a "Next Generation Partner" for Projects & Energy in Japan by the Asia Pacific Legal 500 directory.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • KEXIM and SACE on the financing of the $6 billion integrated polymers complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, sponsored by Chevron Phillips Chemical and QatarEnergy.
  • A group of financial institutions and other NEXI Covered Lenders on a USD 1.4 billion pre-export financing to CSN Mineração S.A. in connection with itabrite for green steel making.
  • The ECAs and lenders on the development and financing of the USD10 bn Coral FLNG project to be moored in the Area 4 Coral South Offshore Basin, Mozambique. The first-ever project financing of a floating LNG vessel (FLNG), the first LNG project Mozambique and the USD5bn financing was the largest project financing in African history at the time.
  • JBIC, NEXI and ADB and the commercial lenders on the USD1.8bn 2x800MW Jawa 1 FSRU and gas-fired IPP project in Indonesia, the first LNG-to-Power project in Asia. Advice included all aspects of the project documents, including the engineering, procurement, and construction agreements, as well as reviewing the LNG supply agreements and FSRU time charter agreements for the lenders.
  • A leading shipping company on Green Marine Fuel Corridors including Green hydrogen to ammonia and methanol plants. This includes all regulatory aspects (RED II and FNBO) and the development, construction and financing of a series of giga-projects.
  • A global trading company on a sustainable aviation fuel project in Latin America (including on the RED II/III and ReFuelEU Aviation initiative aspects.
  • A global shipping company on its joint study with a partner on an e-methanol project in Europe.
  • A global energy company on the development of its first green hydrogen project in Asia.
  • A global battery manufacturer on its investment and offtake arrangements from a graphite project in the Americas.

Pro bono

  • Featured in Infralogic: Demand from Japan, South Korea, prime Australia’s green hydrogen pump.
  • Featured in Energy Unplugged (Podcast): Japan’s Green Transformation Act.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, The Law Society of England and Wales
  • Registered foreign lawyer in Japan, 2020 (Tokyo Bar Association)

Recognition

“Rising Star: Projects & Energy (Japan - International Firms and Joint Ventures).”
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2020-2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer (England & Wales), Japan, 2020 (Tokyo Bar Association)
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2010 

Academic

Bachelor of Science, International Relations, The London School of Economics and Political Science, 2006
LLB, the College of Law, 2008
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.