Competition/Antitrust

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is a go-to group for domestic and international corporates looking to secure JFTC clearances on cross-border M&A transactions, including Phase I and II reviews. Also possesses noteworthy expertise in cartel investigations, and assists companies with investigations into unfair trade practices. Regularly works in conjunction with international co-counsel to provide Japanese law advice on multi-jurisdictional mandates. Its key clients include Fujifilm, Peugeot, and Isuzu Motors.

A client reports the team is "superb on all accounts. The Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu team is professional, thoughtful and attentive."

A further source adds: "The lawyers are extremely good and knowledgeable. They also know the regulators well, and have very good business sense. They are practical lawyers and very easy to work with."

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu acted for Fujifilm as lead international counsel in its acquisition of Hitachi's diagnostic imaging-related business and represented it in the global merger control filing and before the JFTC.

Kaoru Hattori is much exalted for her experience and expertise across the full spectrum of advisory and contentious antitrust law matters. One client reports: "Kaoru is a very intelligent and responsive lawyer," while another comments: "She's very well respected by her team. If you were in dire straits you'd feel in good hands with her. She inspires a lot of confidence in her clients."

Yoshitoshi Imoto has a stellar reputation in the market, garnering endorsements from clients for his expertise in cross-border merger filings and investigations. He is appreciated by sources as "a brilliant and very knowledgeable lawyer with a sharp mind," who is "incredibly practical and adopts a very clear and pragmatic advisory style. He's very responsive and quickly understands the client's objective."

Yusuke Kaeriyama is active in a range of merger control work as well as antitrust investigations. He is described by one market sources as a "really good lawyer."