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Japan
3

Antitrust and competition: Independent local firms

Atsumi & Sakai logo

Atsumi & Sakai

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Atsumi & Sakai‘s team has experience advising on share acquisitions, business transfers, company splits, business alliances and joint ventures. The team is headed by Saori Hanada, who brings her expertise in cartel cases, including internal audits, private enforcement and leniency applications. For competition matters, Setsuko Yufu is a key name to note; Yufu brings expertise in vertical and horizontal restraints and dominant position issues. Masayuki Matsuura often advises on merger control in cross-border M&A matters, and on international cartel investigations. Tatsuo Yamashima has extensive experience working with foreign competition authorities on cartel investigations involving liquid crystal displays and cathode ray tubes, as well as advising clients on JFTC matters. The team further strengthened its competition offering with the hire of Shuichi Sugahisa, Junya Ae and Michio Suzuki in December 2025, all of whom joined from Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) in December 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The competition team at A&S has the perfect combination of excellent client relationships, execution and communication. Their focus is in getting the job done so they're always available and pragmatic when dealing with local counsel in other jurisdictions.’

  • ‘Saori Hanada in the competition team stands out for her ability, availability and ability to communicate clearly and effectively.'

  • 'Setsuko Hara stands out for her reputation, standing and respect she enjoys amongst clients and the regulator.’

  • ‘The Atsumi antitrust team is quite versatile, flexible and able to take on complex questions and get up to speed quite quickly on complex matters.’

  • ‘They always try to contribute to the success of the client. They provide practical and valuable advice backed by extensive experience and knowledge.’

  • ‘Kohei Murakawa, Saori Hanada, Keita Hitomi and Setsuko Yufu always thoroughly examine customer inquiries and provide practical advice. Moreover, their way of giving advice is carefully designed so that customers can easily see and understand it, with attention paid to even the smallest details.'

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.

Setsuko Yufu

Leading partners: Bengoshi

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Tatsuo Yamashima

Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Masayuki Matsuura

Practice head

Saori Hanada

Other key lawyers

Tatsuo Yamashima; Setsuko Yufu; Masayuki Matsuura; Setsuko Hara; Kohei Murakawa; Saori Hanada; Keita Hitomi; Shuichi Sugahisa; Junya Ae； Michio Suzuki

Comparative Guides