About

Provided by Mori Hamada

Mori Hamada’s corporate and M&A practices together provide comprehensive, market-leading support across the full lifecycle of corporate transactions and governance. At the forefront of high‑profile, complex M&A work, we play a significant role in shaping Japan’s corporate‑acquisition legislative environment and continually build on our cutting‑edge expertise to meet the rapidly evolving global M&A landscape. Our team advises clients on a wide array of transactions—from corporate reorganisations, private equity and start‑up acquisitions, cross‑border mergers and unsolicited bids to the full procedural and regulatory requirements those matters entail.

Complementing our transactional strength, Mori Hamada brings deep experience in corporate law and governance, advising on board and shareholder procedures, shareholders’ meetings, officer remuneration, proxy solicitation and activism defence, and corporate and commercial disputes. Our integrated capability, combining practical corporate‑law advice with a robust litigation practice, enables us to design and assist with implementing effective governance structures, respond to accelerating legal reforms and emerging market practices, and address governance issues and disputes decisively and strategically.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: Domestic - Japan

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Mori Hamada fields a highly established team with a distinguished record of acting for household-name corporations and major financial institutions on corporate structuring, acquisitions, buyouts, disposals and joint ventures. The firm is highly proficient in representing both sellers and buyers in cross-border acquisitions and has additional expertise in consolidation and business integrations under the stock exchange programme. The team boasts an impressive client portfolio of leading private equity houses, investment firms, and major and multinational domestic corporations.

Work Highlights

  • Mori Hamada assisted Paloma Rheem with a going-private transaction of Fujitsu General through a tender offer.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Gaku Ishiwata
1
Gaku Ishiwata
Head of Corporate/M&A: Domestic
1
Band 1

Gaku Ishiwata is a market-leading M&A lawyer with particular expertise in hostile takeovers. He also has experience acting on cross-border acquisitions and private equity transactions.

He is excellent.

He is a very high-quality counsel.

Gaku Ishiwata is one of the leading lights of the Japanese M&A Bar.

Hajime Tanahashi
1
Hajime Tanahashi
Head of Corporate/M&A: Domestic
1
Band 1
Hajime Tanahashi remains particularly active on M&A transactions and is also experienced in private equity and corporate governance matters.

He has a correct understanding of the characteristics of our business and investment policy, and how to respond to individual cases.

Atsushi Oishi
4
Atsushi Oishi
4
Band 4

Atsushi Oishi remains active on mergers and has experience in corporate restructuring. He also advises on cross-border financing mandates.

Hirokazu Hayashi
4
Hirokazu Hayashi
4
Band 4
Hirokazu Hayashi advises on business integrations, corporate governance and venture capital transactions.
Stanley M Yukevich
4
Stanley M Yukevich
4
Band 4

Stanley Yukevich acts on a range of matters including acquisitions and business partnerships. His practice has a particular focus on transactions in the technology sector.

Takayuki Kihira
4
Takayuki Kihira
4
Band 4
Takayuki Kihira advises on various corporate transactions. He is noted for his experience handling cross-border corporate and M&A transactions for major multinational technology companies.

He is fluent in English, and his ability to provide solutions to complex situations is amazing. In addition, he understands our commercial needs and gives us appropriate advice as a lawyer.

Yoshihiro Kojima
4
Yoshihiro Kojima
4
Band 4
Yoshihiro Kojima is noted for extensive experience in handling joint venture transactions and acquisitions.

He understands the client's deal objectives and provides advice that is in line with our day-to-day business.

Akira Matsushita
5
Akira Matsushita
5
Band 5

Akira Matsushita is an established practitioner in the firm's M&A team with particular expertise regarding shareholder activism and hostile takeovers.

Even in complex cases, he always shows strong leadership to obtain favourable terms.

He always provides consistent legal advice even in complex cases, and we find him very reliable.

Kenichi Sekiguchi
5
Kenichi Sekiguchi
5
Band 5

Kenichi Sekiguchi is a well-recognised M&A practitioner in the market. He provides adept counsel to acquirers and target companies in MBO, going-private transactions and business consolidations.

He handles complex cases with ease and efficiency.

He is excellent, fluent in English and quick to get the grip of foreign law and advise the client on how to progress on the matter.

Rintaro Shinohara
5
Rintaro Shinohara
5
Band 5

Rintaro Shinohara is noted for his accomplished handling of a range of transactions. He counts among his clients a string of major companies, who appreciate his cool head in negotiations.

Rintaro Shinohara has a strong commercial sense and provides a high-level service.

Shuhei Uchida
5
Shuhei Uchida
5
Band 5
Shuhei Uchida provides expert counsel to clients in acquisitions, private equity investments and venture capital transactions. He is especially praised for his commitment to his clients.

Ranked Lawyers at
Mori Hamada

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Japan

Corporate/M&A: Domestic

Gaku Ishiwata
1
Gaku Ishiwata
Head of Corporate/M&A: Domestic
1
Band 1
Hajime Tanahashi
1
Hajime Tanahashi
Head of Corporate/M&A: Domestic
1
Band 1
Atsushi Oishi
4
Atsushi Oishi
4
Band 4
Hirokazu Hayashi
4
Hirokazu Hayashi
4
Band 4
Takayuki Kihira
4
Takayuki Kihira
4
Band 4
Yoshihiro Kojima
4
Yoshihiro Kojima
4
Band 4
Akira Matsushita
5
Akira Matsushita
5
Band 5
Kenichi Sekiguchi
5
Kenichi Sekiguchi
5
Band 5
Rintaro Shinohara
5
Rintaro Shinohara
5
Band 5
Shuhei Uchida
5
Shuhei Uchida
5
Band 5
Corporate/M&A: International

Stanley M Yukevich
4
Stanley M Yukevich
4
Band 4