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Freshfields

Corporate/M&A: International

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Japan

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Freshfields

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Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/working-globally/asia-pacific/japan/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: International - Japan

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields leverages its network of offices to support corporations on a range of inbound and outbound M&A transactions. The firm is deeply experienced in the infrastructure, oil and gas, chemical and technology industries. Workflow covers both public company and share acquisitions, as well as private equity-led buyouts. It offers seamless coordination on cross-border transactions and often leverages support from colleagues in Hong Kong, Singapore, a number of European jurisdictions and the USA.

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Work Highlights

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  • Freshfields advised Yokohama Rubber on its acquisition of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s off-the-road tire business for USD905 million in cash.

  • Freshfields has advised Sumitomo Chemical on the transformation, large-scale restructuring, refinancing and share-sale transaction involving Saudi Exchange-listed Petro Rabigh.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields has a local team with teamwork, knowledge, experience and comprehensive capabilities to handle global matters as a team.

    Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

  • When faced with a problem, they have the patience and responsiveness to derive an appropriate solution through dialogue with the client.

    Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Noah Carr
    Noah Carr

    Noah Carr

    Noah Carr maintains a high level of involvement in cross-border investments and joint venture transactions.

    • Noah is an excellent M&A lawyer based in Japan. He brings together and coordinates a global team that can deliver quality service to his client.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Noah Carr has been in Japan for a long time and has an absolutely stellar record in transaction experience for all the best Japanese companies.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • He has robust experience in sophisticated M&A deals and is willing to vigorously defend clients' interests.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Takeshi Nakao
    Takeshi Nakao

    Takeshi Nakao

    Takeshi Nakao has substantial experience advising on private equity transactions and joint venture matters.

    • Takeshi Nakao understands our company well with strategic understanding of the transactions and makes suggestions based on that.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • In addition to his abilities as a lawyer, he excels in everything from understanding the client's point of view and quick response times to providing convincing explanations.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • He has a wealth of experience and a high level of expertise and has been able to negotiate tenaciously for the client's interest.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Gordon Palmquist
    Gordon Palmquist

    Gordon Palmquist

    Gordon Palmquist advises Japanese corporations on cross-border M&A transactions. He wins praise from clients for his strong client service.

    • He is a wonderful lawyer who is fluent in Japanese and always provides helpful support. Also, he has a good understanding of our business and internal procedures, which is very helpful.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • He has a wealth of experience and a high level of expertise. Also, he is fluent in Japanese and tenaciously negotiates for the interests of the client.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Gordon is a sophisticated M&A lawyer with a very keen interest in understanding the interests of both parties and making the deal optimal for the client.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Tomoko Nakajima
    Tomoko Nakajima

    Tomoko Nakajima

    Tomoko Nakajima is head of Freshfields' M&A offering in Japan and leverages her extensive knowledge of the Japanese market to serve clients across industries such as energy, manufacturing and technology. Clients laud her negotiation skills.

    • She is a reliable counsel with strong leadership and an abundance of experience.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Tomoko Nakajima is an exceptionally capable professional on a global level with outstanding comprehension and a consistently fast and effective approach to her work.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific

    • She can not only advise from a legal perspective in a negotiation in English, but she is also commercial.

      Corporate/M&A: International respondentAsia-Pacific
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (4)

Japan

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