Tax | Asia-Pacific

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is a trusted counsel for leading corporations including manufacturers and investment funds. The firm is often engaged by domestic and international clients on the tax aspects of M&A transactions and restructurings. The team is able to draw upon the expertise of accountants and former tax authority officials to provide comprehensive assistance to clients. It is also skilled at resolving contentious tax matters, and assisting individual investors with issues concerning temporary income. The firm is additionally adept at capital markets transactions and its related tax implications. Its key clients include SoftBank Group, Johnson & Johnson and Baring Private Equity.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is widely recognised as a go-to group for comprehensive tax advice. The team is highly skilled at handling a variety of complex matters including sensitive tax litigation, transfer pricing, audit and tax planning, and it regularly receives mandates from major domestic and international corporations from an array of industries including financial institutions. The firm demonstrates particular expertise in advising Korean clients on Japanese tax matters as well as assisting Japanese clients with Korean tax matters, and is well equipped to represent clients in criminal tax investigations brought by the tax authority. Other areas of expertise include advising on tax treaties and FATCA regulations. Its key clients include NGK Insulators, Nissan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has an acclaimed team with expertise in a broad spectrum of tax matters concerning business structures, including advising on the tax implications of employee stock option plans and corporate restructurings. The team is frequently engaged by multinationals operating in a variety of sectors including e-commerce, media and entertainment, and excels in advising on anti-tax haven rules and transfer pricing as well as tax-related litigation. The firm is counsel of choice for domestic corporations responding to investigations by the tax authorities.

Baker McKenzie is in demand for its deep-rooted expertise in domestic and international tax issues. The firm has a strong reputation for its advice on transfer pricing, and advises a range of corporations, notably those operating in the e-commerce and digital technology industries. The team is highly proficient in working in conjunction with foreign-qualified lawyers to provide seamless advice on cross-border tax matters. It is also well versed in tackling contentious tax issues, and its tax offering is boosted by the presence of zeirishi and tax litigators in the team.

Jones Day houses a widely praised team offering an array of tax services, including disputes and cross-border tax planning. The firm is highly regarded for its representation of foreign corporations and private individuals in complex domestic tax matters. The team advises investors on tax aspects of M&A transactions and corporate structures. It is also well versed in international tax treaties. The firm is active in handling contentious audit cases related to transfer pricing issues.

Nishimura & Asahi has a robust team recognised for its ability to advise domestic and foreign corporations on various contentious and non-contentious tax issues. The firm is experienced in tackling a range of tax disputes relating to consumption tax and the categorisation of foreign businesses for tax purposes. The team also offers advice to private individuals on tax audits and issues concerning income tax, and provides tax auditing services to complement its tax law expertise. The firm leverages its strength in cross-border M&A transactions to provide international tax advice.

DLA Piper is favoured by major Japanese multinationals for its prowess in transfer pricing matters, including APA applications and MAPs. The firm attracts mandates from foreign corporations to assist with tax audits and also handles tax issues concerning IP and customs-related matters. The team is particularly active on US-Japan cross-border tax matters, often advising on the tax implications of restructurings and various transactions.

Withers offers a dedicated team specialising in cross-border tax matters. The firm is highly sought after by major investment funds for transactional and structural advice. The team has particular strength in tax matters concerning investments in real estate, with additional expertise in TKM structures. It regularly advises an international clientele on inbound investment projects in Japan as well as on assessments by Japanese authorities. The firm also advises high net worth individuals on tax planning. Its key clients include MPower Partners Fund, FLOW Digital Infrastructure and Nuveen Alternative Living Fund.