Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) offers deep bench strength in Tokyo when it comes to M&A work, with its sizeable team operating in relation to cross-border matters in the semiconductor, TMT, finance, real estate, and healthcare sectors, among others. Practice head Jiro Toyokawa has broad experience in public and private M&A, with large-scale outbound M&A transactions involving Japanese financial institutions an area of strength. Akifusa Takada, co-managing partner of the firm’s Tokyo office, advises on a wide range of domestic transactions, including M&A, group reorganisations, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. His client portfolio includes companies in the financial services, pharma, industrial, food, and service sectors. Kiyoshi Endo’s practice covers inbound and outbound M&A. Tetsuo Tsujimoto and Yutaka Kimura are also key players in the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We have received legal support from Tetsuo Tujimoto and his team on various matters such as joint venture investments, group reorganisations, and other M&A matters, etc. His team provides us with optimal solutions based on his extensive experience and broad knowledge.'
‘In addition to Jiro Toyokawa's professional legal skills and experience, he always understands the issues we have and clearly explains what is important for us now and advises us what kind of risks we have and our options in every situation.'
‘Akifusa Takada and Masahiro Inaba both have a lot of experience. They offer advice based on their experience.’
‘Tetsuo Tujimoto is a leading partner in the team and an expert in M&A, possessing a wide range of precise knowledge from detailed regulation matters to the latest practices. He basically has all the information that our company needs for M&A cases. He is highly responsive and very reliable.'
‘The team has a strong and wide global network with the high quality to handle cross-border M&A projects in the Asia region.'
‘A strong team with international experience and an understanding of multicultural environments.'
‘Baker McKenzie is a well-integrated global team – they always work closely with members from various practices and jurisdictions, delivering consistent and seamless services.'
- 'Baker McKenzie has the expertise and track record to handle complex cross-border cases. They provide us with proactive guidance – in the most recent transaction they alerted us of a potential dispute and equipped us in advance, thanks to their foresight and multi-practice coverage.'
Key clients
- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
- Sumitomo Life Insurance Company
- Development Bank of Japan
- Seiko Epson Corporation
- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.
- NH Foods Ltd.
- Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation
- Bunka Shutter Co., Ltd
- Travel + Leisure (Wyndham Destinations Japan Ltd.)
- Idorsia Pharmaceutical
Work highlights
- Advised Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) on its investment in Coherent Corp.'s silicon carbide semiconductor business amounting to $500m.
- Acted for Sumitomo Life Insurance Company in its acquisition of 25.94% stake in Singapore Life Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singlife), together with two debt instruments including reset subordinated perpetual capital securities issued by Singlife, held by Aviva Group Holdings Limited for a combined consideration of around SGD 1.4bn.
- Advised Sumitomo Life Insurance Company on its acquisition of 35.48% stake in Singapore Life Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singlife) held by TPG for a consideration of around SGD 1.6bn.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Jiro Toyokawa
Other key lawyers
Akifusa Takada; Kiyoshi Endo; Tetsuo Tsujimoto; Yutaka Kimura; Masahiro Inaba