LAWYER PROFILE
Koichiro Hanamoto

Koichiro Hanamoto

Asia-Pacific 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by TMI Associates

Practice Areas

Antitrust/ Competition, including Multijurisdictional Merger Control; Domestic and International Cartel and Bid-Riggings; Monopolization; Unfair Trade Practices; The Subcontract Act of Japan; The Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations of Japan; Competition Litigations; Counselling on Compliance with Competition Law; Logistics Law

Koichiro has substantial experience in competition law, including working experience for a major Japanese chemical company and at the Japan Fair Trade Commission. Koichiro provides a broad range of transactional and regulatory advice to a diverse client group. Koichiro is highly skilled in advising on complicated merger control matters, providing support to clients which are the subject of large-scale government investigations, and counseling on compliance with competition law. In particular, Koichiro has significant experience, including where necessary working with TMI’s overseas offices as well as with local counsel, in handling international competition matters that involve multiple jurisdictions, such as obtaining merger clearances in cross-border transactions involving entities operating in multiple countries around the world and coordinating responses to investigations being conducted by multiple governmental authorities.

Career

TMI Associates (Partner, 2017-Present; Associate, 2007-2011, 2014-2016)

Lecturer of Law (International Business Law), Rikkyo University (2024-Present)

Japan Fair Trade Commission (Chief Investigation Officer, 2011-2014); Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Legal Staff Member, 1990-2001)

Professional Memberships

Dai-Ni Tokyo Bar Association (2007-Present); New York State Bar Association (1994-Present); Japan Competition Law Forum (Riji, 2023-Present)

Publications

Data Utilization: Business and Legal Affairs (Co-authored, Chuokeizai-Sha, 2024)

Guideposts to the Antimonopoly Act to Promote Business (Co-authored, Dai-Ichi Hoki, 2023)

COMPETITION LAW TREATMENT OF JOINT VENTURES (Co-authored, Concurrences, 2022)

Clients

Japanese Bankers Association; Japan Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association

Companies in chemical, pesticide, pharmaceutical, auto-parts, industrial machinery, bedding, sporting goods, shipping, wholesale and retail industries

Work Highlights

The acquisition of Toshiba Corporation by Japan Industry Partners, Inc. in 2023; Carve-out of non-woven fabric business by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and Asahi Kasei Corporation in 2023.

Advised buyers in connection with multijurisdictional merger filings in unsolicited buyout matters.

Advised clients in connection with forming joint ventures among competitors.

Advised clients in connection with cartel investigation by the JFTC and other competition authorities and leniency application.

Advised defendants in connection with follow-on bid-rigging litigations for damages.

Provided antitrust compliance training to trade associations.

Education

New York University School of Law

Master of Law

1993 - 1994

New York University School of Law

Master of Comparative Jurisprudence

1992 - 1993

University of Tokyo

Bachelor of Law

1985 - 1990

Awards

asialaw Awards 2024 - Impact Deals and Cases (Toshiba $14 Billion Leveraged Buyout (co-awarded))

asialaw

2024

Key sectors

Agriculture and AgribusinessFinancial ServicesIndustrials, Engineering and ManufacturingRetail and ConsumerTransport

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Asia & Pacific

Competition/Antitrust - Japan

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Koichiro Hanamoto is a skilled competition lawyer with deep experience. As a former chief investigator for the JFTC, he is well positioned to provide legal advice and support for companies dealing with competition authority or regulatory issues.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We are impressed by his professionalism and level of service.

    Competition/AntitrustChambers Asia & Pacific
  • Koichiro is an expert in competition law whom we regard highly. He tenaciously negotiates difficult deals to protect client's interest.

    Competition/AntitrustChambers Asia & Pacific
  • He has deep and wide knowledge and insights into our business and competition law enforcement.

    Competition/AntitrustChambers Asia & Pacific

Ranked Individuals at TMI Associates (22)

Japan

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