Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu's offering provides advice on competition and antitrust issues as well as those relating to corporate governance and employment that arise from antitrust matters. Yoshitoshi Imoto leads the team and handles matters regarding merger legislation, government antitrust investigations, and compliance for clients both domestically and internationally. For advice on complex cartel investigations or the JFTC merger review, Kaoru Hattori is a key name; Hattori frequently offers competition advice on issues pertaining to contractual alliances, routine business transactions, and areas where competition and IP intersect. Ryohei Tanaka has extensive experience in competition cases that arise during M&A transactions, such as non-compete, information firewalls and gun-jumping.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The competition team has a unique depth. They are responsive and provide to-the-point and ready=to-use legal advice on the relevant questions and issues. The lawyers are very much up-to-date and knowledgeable. There is always the right partner or associate for your competition law problem.'
‘Yoshi Imoto is a senior partner and outstanding with his expertise inter alia in cartel proceedings and international investigations.'
'Ryohei Tanaka excels on merger control and complex competition law counselling questions. He has particular expertise in the automotive sector.'
'Satoshi Ogawa is an expert on EU-related issues such as Foreign Subsidy Regulation proceedings.’
‘The team stands out for its deep understanding of Japanese regulatory frameworks and its ability to provide clear, strategic advice on complex matters. Clients appreciate their responsive service and seamless coordination across practice areas. Compared to other firms, their strong local reputation and experience with high-profile cases make them a top choice for competition law matters in Japan.’
‘Tsuyoshi Isshiki and Satoshi Ogawa are outstanding partners. They combine deep technical knowledge with practical, business-focused guidance. Both are highly responsive, approachable, and have a proven track record in handling complex antitrust cases. Their clarity in communication and proactive problem-solving set them apart from competitors.’
Key clients
- Novo Holdings AS, Novo Nordisk AS
- Panasonic Holdings Corporation
- Sanofi SA and Sanofi K.K.
- Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
- MOL Chemical Tankers Pte. Ltd.
- Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
- Softbank KK
- Honda Motors Co., Ltd.
- YAMATO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
- ITOCHU Corporation
Work highlights
Represented Novo Holdings and Novo Nordisk in connection with their merger control filings to the Japan Fair Trade Commission regarding their acquisition of Catalent Inc.
Represented MITSUIOSK as a lead counsel, formulated its strategy vis-à-vis competition authorities and coordinated its merger control filings in eight jurisdictions regarding the acquisition of Gearbulk.
Advised the client on the integration of its multifunction printer manufacturing and development businesses with Toshiba Tec.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners: Bengoshi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Ryohei Tanaka
Practice head
Yoshitoshi Imoto
Other key lawyers
Kaoru Hattori; Ryohei Tanaka; Satoshi Ogawa; Tsuyoshi Isshiki