About

Provided by Nishimura & Asahi

Our firm have been involved in many major domestic merger cases in Japan, and has produced results for our clients incomparable to any other firm in Japan. We are advising on most of the high-profile or “hard” cases that are subject to the Second Phase review at the Japan Fair Trade Commission (the JFTC). Further, we are regularly selected as local counsel to handle merger filings in Japan for many high-profile cross border and offshore M&A cases.

Our firm has proactively filed leniency applications from the outset of the introduction of the program in cartel and bid-rigging investigations, by which we gained a great deal of experience with the reforms. We have been advising on a large bid-rigging case among major Japanese construction companies on the linear motorcar (Japan’s superconducting Maglev train), which was unveiled in 2017. Moreover, in order to deal with international cartel cases, we have strengthened our partnerships with leading foreign law firms and are able to support Japanese companies when they face cartel investigations by competition agencies of both western and emerging countries as well as providing foreign companies with legal advice in relation to investigations by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/Antitrust - Japan

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Nishimura & Asahi is widely acknowledged as a leading name in merger clearance and cartel cases, both domestic and international. The firm houses additional expertise in handling deregulation and market liberalisation matters. The team regularly works on merger filings in respect of domestic and cross-border acquisitions, and excels in assisting clients with Phase II merger investigations. It assists clients from a diverse range of industries spanning energy, finance, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, technology, shipping and steel, among others.

Work Highlights

  • Nishimura & Asahi advised Nippon Steel Corporation on its merger filings, including the US HSR filings and the Foreign Subsidies Regulation filings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Kozo Kawai
1
Kozo Kawai
1
Band 1
Kozo Kawai has long been called upon for his sector-leading knowledge of non-contentious and contentious antitrust issues, including those relating to M&A transactions, cartels and unilateral behaviour.

Mr Kawai possesses an extremely high level of expertise and experience in the field of antitrust law.

He is the lawyer I trust the most.

Madoka Shimada
2
Madoka Shimada
2
Band 2

Madoka Shimada has a strong track record of advising on merger filings and antitrust-related issues. She represents clients in cross-border transactions, including international cartels.

Kazumaro Kobayashi
5
Kazumaro Kobayashi
5
Band 5

Kazumaro Kobayashi is an established practitioner who focuses on antitrust, competition and international trade work.

He does his very best to deal with client's issues.

Kazumaro provides meticulous and accurate advice.

U
Junko Wakabayashi
U
Up and Coming

Junko Wakabayashi is well regard in the field of competition law particularly excelling in multijurisdictional merger filings and representing clients in JFTC's investigations. She also leverages her previous experience at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Wakabayashi is responsive and timely working in a tight timeline.

Ranked Lawyers at
Nishimura & Asahi

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Japan

Competition/Antitrust

Kozo Kawai
1
Kozo Kawai
1
Band 1
Madoka Shimada
2
Madoka Shimada
2
Band 2
Kazumaro Kobayashi
5
Kazumaro Kobayashi
5
Band 5
U
Junko Wakabayashi
U
Up and Coming

Industries

Provided by Nishimura & Asahi

Aerospace & Defence

Automobiles & Parts

Banks

Chemicals

Construction & Materials

Energy

Forestry & Paper

Government

Health Care

Industrial Engineering

Media

Mining & Metals

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Retail

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Telecommunications

Transportation

Utilities