Corporate/M&A
Vietnam
1 year ranked
Provided by Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
Focusing on cross‑border transactions and complex advisory work in Vietnam and the broader Indochina region. Advising on market entry and foreign investment, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, infrastructure and project development, regulatory and compliance reviews to support business expansion, commercial contracting, employment and labor, and dispute resolution.
Based in Hanoi since 2011, he advises multinational corporates and sponsors on investments and operations in Vietnam and neighboring jurisdictions, with particular emphasis on regulatory analysis for business expansion, labor and employment, commercial contract review and negotiation, and disputes.
He began his career at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu in 2005, and subsequently seconded to Allens in Hanoi from 2011 to 2014. He returned to Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu at its Singapore office in 2014–2015, and has led the firm’s Hanoi branch as its representative since 2015. He became a partner of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu in 2016. Since 2024, he has served as co‑group leader of the Legal Group within the Business Environment Committee of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI), and since 2025 he has sat on the Board of the Japanese School of Hanoi.
Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association, Japan
Registered Foreign Attorney in Vietnam
-Advised a Japanese government‑affiliated fund on its strategic equity investment in a Vietnamese port operator; the transaction was recognized as ASIAN‑MENA COUNSEL Deals of the Year 2015.
-Counseled an international consortium on a large‑scale urban development project in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
Acted for a listed Japanese company on the bulk acquisition of businesses from eight Vietnamese building materials distributors.
-Represented a listed Japanese company in the acquisition of a Vietnamese staffing services provider.
-Acted for the Vietnamese subsidiary of a listed Japanese company in tax litigation against the Vietnamese government, resulting in a favorable settlement.
The University of Tokyo
LL.B.
2000 - 2004
Harvard Law School
LL.M.
2010 - 2011
Best Lawyers in Japan, International Business Transactions
Best Lawyers
2025
Provided by Chambers
Keigo Sawayama is Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu's office head in Hanoi and frequently advises Japanese clients on international construction, real estate and corporate transactions.
Keigo Sawayama heads the firm’s Hanoi practice, where he regularly handles cross-border transactions between Japan and Vietnam, including inbound investments and acquisitions.
Provided by Chambers
He always responds thoroughly and promptly.
Keigo Sawayama has a very good understanding of commerce.
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.