Corporate/M&A: Domestic | Asia-Pacific

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto fields a highly established team with a distinguished record of acting for household-name corporations and major financial institutions on corporate structurings, 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. Notable clients include Mizuho Financial Group, KKR Japan and Baring Private Equity Asia.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu maintains a superb market reputation for undertaking sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions pertaining to stock and company acquisitions, joint ventures, asset transfers and takeover bids. The team is instructed by foreign multinationals in the sale of equity stakes in domestic companies and is also adept in business consolidations. The firm is counsel of choice for some of the biggest household-name corporations in Japan, assisting clients from a wide range of sectors including finance, life sciences and manufacturing. Its key clients include Sumitomo Mitsui, KKR and the Nagano Bank.

Nishimura & Asahi is experienced in handling a wide array of transactions relating to tender offers, share exchanges, stock acquisitions and business integration. The firm acts for a variety of domestic companies on inbound and outbound transactions and offers advice to clients on joint ventures with Asian companies. The team also offers expertise in corporate restructuring and consolidation. The firm is able to draw on expertise from its international network of offices to help facilitate cross-border matters. Its clients include Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Transport System and Bain Capital Private Equity.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is highly regarded for its handling of share purchase agreements, tender offers and strategic alliances. The firm is routinely instructed by domestic corporations across a variety of sectors including natural resources, entertainment and financial services, and is noted for its wealth of expertise in assisting both sellers and buyers in M&A transactions. The team boasts experience in relation to cross-border transactions involving India, Hong Kong and Mainland China, and often acts for private equity and venture capital clients. Clients include Bain Capital, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and KJR Management.

TMI Associates regularly assists corporations with domestic and cross-border transfers, management and leveraged buyouts and other M&A transactions. The firm offers support in joint ventures, share exchanges and the establishment of special purpose companies. The team maintains a proven track record of advising banks, private equity firms and insurers, in addition to public companies across various industries, and is noted for its defence work in shareholder activism matters.

White & Case frequently assists with a range of corporate work, including joint ventures, share acquisitions and sales of subsidiaries. The firm fields both bengoshi partners and registered foreign lawyers to provide robust support to an array of domestic and international clients. Its workload spans M&A transactions in the energy and transportation sectors through to the food, technology and mobile gaming industries. The firm is sought after for its international reach and often coordinates mandates with colleagues in the UK, Singapore, Australia and the USA. Notable clients include IHI and Mitsubishi Electric.

Baker McKenzie is sought out by household-name domestic corporations for its full-service expertise in international M&A transactions into Asia, the USA and Europe. The firm works together with domestic practitioners in handling inbound acquisitions and reorganisations. It is favoured by life science, manufacturing and technology clients, and proves a popular choice among institutional investors and private equity houses. Its expertise in M&A is augmented by its ability to handle major corporate restructurings and insolvencies. Key clients include Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Universal Entertainment and Okada Manila International.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer leverages its network of offices to support corporations on a range of inbound and outbound M&A transactions. The firm is deeply experienced in the infrastructure, oil and gas, chemical and technology industries. Workflow covers both public company and share acquisitions, as well as private equity-led buyouts. It offers seamless coordination on cross-border transactions and often leverages support from colleagues in Hong Kong, Singapore, a number of European jurisdictions and the USA. Notable clients include ENEOS and Toray Industries.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is distinguished for its prowess in representing Osaka-based corporations. The firm garners recognition for its handling of general corporate and restructuring matters in addition to M&A and private equity transactions. It is prominent in advising pharmaceutical, engineering and manufacturing clients as well as corporations active in the Kansai region, and is also recognised for its national practice. Its key clients include Nissin Electric, Sumitomo Pharma and Narumiya International.

Clifford Chance is highly active on cross-border investments and acquisitions. The firm services a portfolio of domestic and international clients from a range of sectors including energy, agriculture, manufacturing and insurance. The team assists with acquisitions and divestitures as well as business alliances. It works closely with its network of overseas colleagues across the Asia-Pacific region to provide guidance on international transactions. Notable clients include Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure and Henkel.

DLA Piper has an experienced team that advises well-known Japanese companies across a range of joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. The firm boasts varied sector coverage including deals in the media, telecommunications, hospitality, finance and pharmaceutical sectors. The team is knowledgeable in various domestic corporate structures, including establishing silent partnerships, and also has particular expertise in cross-border acquisitions, sales and joint ventures, including for technology and life sciences clients. The practice also receives instructions from multinationals for work on the formation of operations in Japan. Notable recent clients include Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JGC Holdings and INEOS.

Gaien Partners is a well-known boutique firm with expertise in handling M&A transactions, providing clients with advice and support on transaction structure, documentation and negotiation of related contracts. The firm is active advising on legal due diligence and is well placed to assist clients on a range of corporate issues. Some notable clients include Carrier and the Nippon Road Co.

Miura & Partners advises both domestic and international clients on an array of mergers and acquisitions. The firm is noted for its strength in offering a one-stop service to clients. It offers services from conducting due diligence and drafting to closing and post-closing. Its key clients include SBI Holdings and ALBERT.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates has longstanding expertise in tackling international M&A work on behalf of sellers and buyers. The firm is recognised for its notable activity in structuring joint ventures on behalf of major Japanese corporations and acts for both individual investors and investor consortiums on private equity-led M&A. The firm leverages its extensive international network on complex cross-border acquisitions involving Japanese companies. Notable clients include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corportation, Intel and Square Enix.

City-Yuwa Partners is a well-known boutique firm with strong expertise in domestic finance transactions as well as corporate mergers and acquisitions and restructurings. It is experienced in handling domestic and cross-border transactions including share transfer takeover bids, mergers and squeeze-outs. Notable clients include Renewable Japan Energy Infrastructure Fund, JIC Capital and PharmaLex.

Ushijima & Partners is well versed in handling domestic and international M&A mandates. It also represents clients in associated litigation, advises on corporate restructuring issues and provides support on transaction structures.