Anderson Mori & Tomotsune‘s ‘very strong practice‘ represents Japanese and international clients in transactions both domestically and overseas, as the department has particular expertise in complex cross-border transactions. Areas of significant experience also include structuring venture capital, private equity, and joint ventures, in addition to corporate reorganisation matters. The team is co-led by Hiroki Kodate, who advises both Japanese and non-Japanese clients in general corporate matters, and Keiko Kaneko, whose specialism is transactions in heavily regulated sectors such as the energy and pharmaceutical industries. Ko Wakabayashi is also noted for his experience in international matters, while Keita Tokura is key due to his experience advising corporate clients on dispute resolution matters related to M&A.

Atsumi & Sakai specialises in complex domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, acting for acquirers, investors, shareholders and target companies. The firm has a particular strength in international matters, due to its 2005 establishment of a foreign law joint enterprise, which drew in a significant number of foreign lawyers. Shintaro Hamasu, Masayuki Matsuura, Eiichiro Hata and Takasuke Mizukami jointly lead the department, which includes counsel Youngseop Song.

City-Yuwa Partners fields a corporate team which works closely with the firm’s other departments to provide comprehensive service for domestic and international clients. The team is co-led by Yasuyuki Kuribayashi, who has almost 30 years’ experience in corporate and finaance, and M&A specialist Yoshikazu Suzuki. Noriko Higashizawa is a key name within the department.

Kojima Law Offices is a well-established name, with longstanding relationships with a range of high profile domestic and international clients. The team is led by managing partner Hiromasa Ogawa, who has expertise in international transactions. Key individuals within the department include Hirokazu Amemiya and Norio Mitsuuchi.

Miura & Partners provides clients with comprehensive support at each stage of M&A transactions, including due diligence, negotiation of contracts, closing, and post-closing. Despite being founded recently in 2019, the firm also has a network of strong relationships with overseas firms, allowing coverage of other jurisdictions. The team is led by Hisashi Shibata, and the ‘especially wonderful‘ Haruka Murata, who is highly experienced on cross-border matters.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has expertise in regulatory-oriented M&A advice and complex cross-border transactions, with a client list which includes blue-chip industrial companies, banks, financial institutions and private equity funds. The department has particular strengths in the technology sector. Hajime Tanahashi and Gaku Ishiwata co-lead the team. Tanahashi specialises in M&A and private equity, as well as corporate governance and venture financing. Ishiwata shares the core expertise in M&A and private equity, and handles general corporate matters. The large team includes numerous highly experienced practitioners, with other key individuals including Atsushi Oishi, Akira Matsushita, Shuhei Uchida and Yohsuke Higashi.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu‘s full-service offering provides comprehensive coverage of corporate and M&A matters, with a strong reputation for completing high value transactions for both domestic and multinational clients. The department is particularly strong within the domestic market, with high profile matters including advising The Aomori Bank on their 2022 merger with The Michinoku Bank. For international work, the firm benefits from its network of international offices, with locations inlcuding New York, Singapore, Hanoi and Shanghai. M&A and corporate governance specialist Hiroshi Mitoma leads the practice alongside Yuko Tamai, who is well known for handling complex and extremely high value transactions. Other key names include Tomohiko Iwasaki, Shuichi Nishimura, and Kei Asatsuma.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s large team lead and participate in high value international and domestic transactions, with expertise in a broad range of areas, including strategic planning, joint ventures, corporate defense, and closing procedures. The firm is notably strengthened by its multiple offices, with four domestic Japanese locations, and fourteen overseas, across Asia, Europe, and the US. The department is co-led by Asa Shinkawa, who has significant private equity experience, and expertise in structuring complex transactions involving multiple parties, and Yoshinobu Fujimoto, whose practice includes cross-border M&A and joint ventures. Masaki Hosaka, Chairman of the Management Board of the Firm, is also key, as is Yuki Oi, who focuses on the high-tech, industrial, and financial sectors.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is highly active in the domestic market, acting in diverse industries including electronics, private equity, real estate and pharmaceuticals. Norihiro Sekiguchi and Seigo Takehira jointly lead the team. Sekiguchi has particular expertise in the TMT and private equity sectors, while Takehira, who is based in Osaka, has a practice which includes corporate governance and cross-border M&A. Hajime Taniuchi, who has worked overseas in both the US and India, is a key name on the team.

TMI Associates fields a diverse team from across corporate, finance, antitrust and bankruptcy practices, able to cater to a broad range of matters. These extend across numerous industrial sectors, including automobile, fintech, IT, pharmaceutical and shipping. The department is active for high profile domestic clients, and has offices in China, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand to provide full support for outbound M&A activities. Masami Hadama co-leads the department alongside private equity expert Tatsuhiro Takahara and Masakazu Iwakura, who has over 30 years’ experience in the practice area. Takashi Toichi, who is noted for his experience in cross-border M&A and general corporate matters, is another key name.

Ushijima & Partners provides Japanese clients active both domestically and overseas with a broad set of services, including corporate reorganisations, preventative legal practices, and defending against hostile takeovers. Managing partner Shin Ushijima and Hiroshi Watanabe jointly lead the department. Hiroyuki Yamauchi and Rikisuke Yamanaka are also key name within the team.