Tag: Japan
KICA delegates share legal exchange in Tokyo with JILA
KICA delegates visit JILA in Tokyo for collaboration on in-house operations and issues
LPA Tokyo boosts corporate, M&A with new partner
LPA Tokyo hires partner Yoshiki Tsurumaki from King & Wood to boost corporate and M&A
MinterEllison, Nishimura & Asahi steer USD500m LNG investment
MinterEllison and Nishimura advise Idemitsu’s MidOcean LNG investment in USD1.2 billion fundraise
Simpson Thacher assists on USD711m global equity offering
Simpson Thacher advises Japan’s Sumitomo Pharma on its USD711m international share offering
HSF Kramer, Oh-Ebashi steer JV and airline catering buy
Firms serve Kobe Bussan and Gourmet Kineya on their Meal Hub joint venture and airline catering business acquisition
Nishimura & Asahi advises on USD572m business alliance
Japanese law firm Nishimura & Asahi has advised financial services group Resona Holdings on its JPY90 billion (USD572 million)
Firms guide USD710m Japan semiconductor strategic partnership
Firms advise on semiconductor manufacturer Onto Innovation’s USD710 million 27% acquisition X-ray technology maker Rigaku
Ex-Mori Hamada talent opens independent Ichigawa Legal Studio
Masashi Ichikawa, formerly of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto and Yanagida & Partners, has launched his own independent law firm in Tokyo
Nishimura & Asahi acts on Nippon Seiki’s USD312m Toyodenso buy
Nishimura & Asahi advises on Japanese automotive instrument manufacturer Nippon Seiki’s JPY49.8 billion (USD312 million) Toyodenso share buy
Key revisions to Japan’s Whistleblower Protection Act
Japan’s amended Whistleblower Protection Act shifts burden of proof, imposes criminal penalties and raises retaliation risks ?
Mori Hamada guides Hitachi’s USD690m reorganisation
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto advises Hitachi Global Life Solutions on the JPY110 billion reorganisation of its home appliance business
V&T opens Osaka office, expanding its international presence
Beijing-headquartered V&T Law Firm has launched an office in Osaka, marking its second branch outside the Chinese mainland
Norton Rose, Kinstellar steer USD2.2bn Asia clean energy JV
Norton Rose Fulbright and Kinstellar have advised on a USD2.2 billion, 50-50 joint venture between UAE renewable energy company Masdar
Linklaters acts for JPI on USD1bn Ashmore investment
Linklaters advises Japan Post Insurance (JPI) on an initial USD1 billion injection in a partnership with London-based investment management company Ashmore Group
Nishimura & Asahi guides Panasonic power tool sale to Makita
Nishimura & Asahi assists Panasonic on the transfer of its power tool division to Japanese manufacturer Makita
JILA appoints Satoshi Shinkuma as new head, boosts visibility
The Japan In-house Lawyers Association (JILA) has appointed Satoshi Shinkuma as its new president, succeeding Hideyuki Sakamoto
A&O Shearman makes history hiring Nagashima Ohno partner
A&O Shearman hires partner from one of Japan’s big four in a historic first for an international law firm in Tokyo
Simpson Thacher team advises on NSSK IV Series Funds
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised Japanese private equity firm Nippon Sangyo Suishin Kiko (NSSK) on the formation of its NSSK IV Series Funds
Ex-National Police Agency director general joins Anderson Mori
Japan’s Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has hired Yuko Sano, formerly of the National Police Agency, as counsel
Firms act on Apollo’s largest PE investment in Japan
Apollo Global Management acquires Nippon Sheet Glass, becoming the asset manager’s largest private equity investment in Japan
Philippines’ Sabornay Law forms alliance with Uryu & Itoga
Manila-based firm Sabornay Law has formed an alliance with Japan’s Uryu & Itoga (U&I) to strengthen cross-border legal capabilities between the Philippines and Japan
Mori Hamada hires energy and infrastructure partner in Tokyo
Japanese law firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto bolsters its energy practice with Kristian Bradshaw joining in Tokyo as a partner
Lee & Ko, Shin & Kim advise on USD200m Kakao Games investment
South Korean law firms Lee & Ko and Shin & Kim are counselling on LY Corporation-backed LAAA Investment’s KRW300 billion (USD200 million) investment in Kakao Games
Mayer Brown adds seven lawyers from A&O Shearman in Tokyo
Mayer Brown hires seven A&O Shearman lawyers, including partners Toshiro Mochizuki and Kana Morimura, as the Tokyo office expansion continues
MoFo advises NSSK on restructuring of Japan’s pro golf tour
Morrison Foerster is advising investment management firm Nippon Sangyo Suishin Kiko Group on the restructuring and commercialisation of Japan’s men’s professional golf tour
M&A: A new way
As M&A activities climb across the region, rising regulatory complexity and shifting market dynamics are redefining strategy, execution and the evolving role of general counsel
Asia’s AI era
As artificial intelligence reshapes economies and industries, jurisdictions across Asia are racing to set the rules for the AI age
Power shift
From offshore wind zones to new grid infrastructure laws, Asian jurisdictions are reshaping the region’s energy sector
Latest Business Law Updates in Asia 2026
A roundup of noteworthy legal developments in the region
Pitching law
Kohei Miyadai is breaking new ground in Japan as the first lawyer who was also a professional baseball player
Deal-making across borders
Cross-border transactions are accelerating across Asia, bringing new opportunities and regulatory hurdles
Nominate now! Japan top lawyers 2026
Asia Business Law Journal is seeking the help of in-house counsel and other business and legal professionals in Japan and around the world to identify the top private practice lawyers in Japan
Sidley bolsters Tokyo office with ‘transformational hires’
Sidley Austin has added Simon Barrett as a co-managing partner and Olivia Matsushita a partner in its energy, transportation and infrastructure practice
The house loses
As Asian regulators tighten controls on online gambling, cross-border networks and advancing technologies remain one step ahead, testing the limits of regulation
Simmons & Simmons hires ex-IBM GC for Tokyo dispute practice
Simmons & Simmons has appointed Chris Studebaker, former general counsel at IBM Japan, as a partner and head of its dispute resolution initiative
Former Norton Rose maritime practice head rejoins WFW
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has appointed Paul Coggins as a partner in its Tokyo office to strengthen its Asia-Pacific maritime offering
MoFo, Paul Hastings advise on USD4.5bn homebuilder deal
MoFo and Paul Hastings advised Japanese forestry and housing company Sumitomo Forestry on its approximately USD4.5 billion
White & Case boosts real estate practice, adds Tokyo partner
White & Case has hired Eduard (Ed) Sheremeta as a partner in Tokyo to expand its real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and private capital offerings in the Asia-Pacific region
Japan In-House Counsel Network announces new leadership?
The Japan In-House Counsel Network (JICN) has appointed Novo Nordisk general counsel Akiko Kikuchi as its new co-president to lead alongside Angela Yuen
Withers launches projects, energy practice in Asia
Withers has launched a dedicated projects and energy practice in Asia by hiring partners Ean MacPherson and Fumihiko Hori and special counsel Keisuke Misuda
Latest Business Law Updates in Asia 2025
Stay informed on the latest legal developments shaping Asia's business landscape
India-Japan cross-border arbitration: Trends and enforcement
Deepening India-Japan ties through aligned, pro-enforcement arbitration frameworks and growing institutional dispute resolution
Jones Day lifts Asia trio to partnership
Global firm Jones Day has promoted three Asia-Pacific based lawyers—Barry Lai (Taipei), Zack Oswald (Singapore)
Buoyant hotel investment and M&A in Japan
Japan remains the most active and favored market for hotel investment and M&A in the Asia-Pacific region, driven by continuing growth in inbound tourism
Japan’s SBI Shinsei Bank eyes year-end USD2.4bn public float
SBI Shinsei Bank’s JPY370.2 billion IPO set for 17 December, with top firms advising on one of Japan’s largest listings this year
Atsumi & Sakai adds ex-JFTC chief, antitrust partners
Atsumi & Sakai has significantly deepened its competition and antitrust bench in Tokyo by onboarding former Japan
Orrick boosts Singapore bench with first disputes partner
Orrick has strengthened its Asia practice and Singapore office by adding Elaine Wong as its first disputes and international arbitration partner
Game on! The legal frontiers of esports and gaming in Asia
Esports and gaming have become powerful engines of innovation across Asia, yet each market faces its own peculiar legal and regulatory challenges
JILA hosts 180th seminar, redefines corporate governance
JILA's 180th seminar in Tokyo gathered professionals to discuss evidence-based, intentional corporate governance culture
Ashurst boosts cross-border offering with Tokyo talent
Ashurst has hired Chihiro Ashizawa as a partner in Tokyo to strengthen its Japanese law and cross-border financing capabilities
Tariff triage
Facing unpredictable tariffs, compliance crackdowns and rising trade tensions, companies in Asia are rethinking contracts, manufacturing and supply chains
Mapping Asia’s private equity outlook
Experts unpack the regulatory changes shaping Asia’s private equity landscape
Safeguarding consumers: Legal frameworks in Asia
From stricter e-commerce regulations to clearer liability standards, consumer laws are reshaping accountability across the region
Greenberg expands Japan practice with trade specialist hire
Junko Suetomi joins Greenberg Traurig's Tokyo office as a shareholder, specializing in international trade and customs law
Japanese firms steer USD1.9bn construction sector stake buy
Mori Hamada advised Daiwa House on its USD1.9 billion stake buy in Sumitomo Densetsu, with Anderson Mori acting for the target
Opportunities in Japan’s regenerative medicine, gene therapy markets
Japan emerges as a hub for regenerative medicine, with opportunities for foreign companies amid strict local regulations
Japan’s NEC in USD2.9bn takeover bid for US software company
NEC Corporation plans to acquire US software firm CSG Systems International for USD2.9 billion, with Freshfields and Simpson Thacher advising
Kirkland & Ellis, Baker Botts drive JERA’s first US asset buy
Kirkland & Ellis and Baker Botts advised JERA on its USD1.5 billion first US shale gas acquisition from Williams and GEP Haynesville II
Orrick strengthens Tokyo energy team with new partner hire
Orrick expands its Tokyo energy team with the hire of former RWE Renewables counsel Akira Takahashi
JICN builds connections at Tokyo networking event
The Japan In-House Counsel Network (JICN) strengthened its community ties through a joint event with Consilio on 18 September in Tokyo
O’Melveny & Myers exits Japan as Tokyo head retires
O’Melveny & Myers is closing its Tokyo office after nearly 40 years, with Tokyo head Yoji Maeda set to retire
MoFo, Freshfields drive SoftBank’s USD5.4bn ABB robotics buy
MoFo advised SoftBank on its USD5.4bn acquisition of ABB’s robotics unit, with Freshfields advising ABB
No time to rest
The Revenue of 111 Chinese law firms depicts a struggling legal market and a rampant race for survival
Japan’s Miura breaks into Philippines in SEA expansion
Miura & Partners entered the Philippines via a Manila office with Feria Tantoco Daos, expanding its SE Asia network
Trends and challenges in employment law
Evolving worker classifications and stricter rules on dismissal highlight the challenges businesses face in navigating labour laws in these jurisdictions
A comparison of laws concerning real estate
Foreign investment in Asia’s real estate is surging, but navigating diverse regulations is essential to avoid costly missteps
Firms chart course on USD7.4bn Air Lease Corp buyout
Sumitomo, SMBC Aviation Capital, Apollo and Brookfield are acquiring Air Lease Corporation in a USD7.4 billion deal
Sidley, Skadden lead USD3.5bn Japan-US insurance merger deal
Sidley and Skadden advised on Sompo’s USD3.5 billion acquisition of Aspen
Multiple firms drive Fujitec’s USD2.7bn take-private by EQT?
EQT is launching a USD2.7 billion tender offer to take Japanese elevator maker Fujitec private
Make your nominations now for Japan Law Firm Awards 2025
Asia Business Law Journal is conducting extensive research for the 2025 Japan Law Firm Awards
Atsumi & Sakai expands national reach with new Osaka office
Atsumi & Sakai launched A&S Osaka to offer corporate legal services in the Kansai region, focusing on M&A and business succession
Ex-MUFG global legal head rejoins Nishimura & Asahi ?
Hiroshi Mori returns to Nishimura & Asahi after leading MUFG’s global legal division
A regulatory update on antitrust law
Mainland China, Japan and Taiwan to strengthen enforcement against anti-competitive behaviour
Japan’s antitrust enforcement from 2024 to 2025
Japan boosts antitrust action with tougher JFTC enforcement and merger scrutiny
Firms advise on Japan’s landmark NTT DC REIT SGX listing
NTT DC REIT launches SGD988 million IPO on SGX, the largest REIT listing in over a decade
Riding the undercurrents
Legal work in Asia's insurance sector is rising amid regulatory shifts and global disruptions
Firms drive Toyota Industries’ USD33bn take-private bid
Toyota Fudosan plans USD33bn takeover to privatise Toyota Industries via stock company bid in December
Isshiki boosts IP with ex-Novartis Japan GC’s partner hire
Isshiki & Partners has strengthened its IP practice with the partner hire of Hiromi Furushima
Hughes Hubbard boosts Asia presence with new Tokyo head
Hughes Hubbard & Reed boosts its Asia presence by appointing Justin Terada to lead the Tokyo office and expand its corporate and M&A practice
DLA Piper advances Japan practice with investment funds hires
DLA Piper boosts Tokyo office with Withers' funds team and two partners skilled in Japan–US law
Pillsbury grows local energy offering with Tokyo partner hire
Pillsbury boosts its Tokyo energy and real estate offering with the strategic hire of Jones Day partner Katsumi Shirai
Freshfields, Linklaters steer M&G, Dai-ichi cross-border deal
Dai-ichi takes 15% stake in M&G, advised by Freshfields and Linklaters
Mofo expands private equity bench, eyes deal shifts in Japan
Morrison Foerster adds partner Naoya Shiota in Tokyo, boosting its PE team amid Japan’s rise in majority-stake deals
Japan benefits from 含羞草社区 improving IP ecosystem
India and Japan are deepening ties through IP reforms and tech-driven collaboration
Japan’s path for drug transfers
Japan’s pharma market demands careful regulatory and approval transfer compliance
Japanese firms act on USD16bn NTT Data takeover
NTT’s JPY2.37trn buyout of NTT Data gets advice from MHM, NO&T and Nakamura Tsunoda in Japan’s biggest since 2020
Legal trends in the regulation of crypto currency
Regulators in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan are boosting cryptocurrency markets by strengthening consumer protection and market integrity.
Mori Hamada, TMI act on giant Japan drugstore merger
Welcia and Tsuruha’s merger talks, advised by Mori Hamada and TMI, aim to form Japan’s top drugstore group with 5,500 stores
Fisher Phillips lands in Tokyo to tap labour law demand
Fisher Phillips opens its first Asia office in Tokyo, led by Nan Sato, to support cross-border employment law needs driven by Japan-US investment
Top Japanese firms steer USD1.1bn Japan pharma takeover
Nagashima Ohno advises JT’s Torii on JPY160b takeover bid by Shionogi, which is counselled by Nishimura & Asahi
Healthcare and life science regulation in Japan
Japan is easing restrictions on medical data under two key laws as it focuses on promoting the use of this information
Japan ‘white knight’ in bidding war for Shibaura Electronics
MinebeaMitsumi makes JPY82.6b white knight bid for Shibaura Electronics in heated takeover battle
JICN nurturing legal talent through mentorship
JICN will host a mentorship seminar on in-house growth on 27 May 2025 at IBM Japan’s Hakozaki Office
Simpson Thacher, White & Case lead on USD1.3bn recycling deal
Simpson Thacher and White & Case advised on Toyota Tsusho America's USD1.34bn acquisition of Radius Recycling
Japan outbound investment guide
Japanese corporates have been actively turning to the overseas M&A market for expanding their business and enhancing capital efficiency
Firms act on USD2.31bn takeover bid for Japan’s Topcon?
KKR & JIC Capital propose a USD2.31 billion tender offer to acquire Topcon Corporation
Miura & Partners makes first Greater China foray in HK
Miura & Partners will open its first Greater China office in Hong Kong this summer
Nominate now! Japan top lawyers 2025
Asia Business Law Journal seeks input from in-house counsel and legal professionals to identify Japan’s top lawyers
含羞草社区 arbitration dilemma
Arbitration is favored for commercial disputes, but judicial review remains debated
Exploring Japan’s economic security promotion act
The Japan Economic Security Act of 2022 regulates critical materials and technologies
Clifford Chance shores up US focus with Japan M&A hire
Clifford Chance hires M&A partner Jeff Schrepfer in Tokyo
JILA celebrates annual in-house awards
JILA honored excellence at the annual In-House Legal Awards in Tokyo
Bird & Bird flies in second partner to grow Tokyo bench
Bird & Bird expands its Tokyo office with partner Aya Saito
Atsumi & Sakai adds UK veteran to lead global projects
Atsumi & Sakai appoints UK veteran Alan Kitchin to lead global projects
A&O Shearman names energy expert as new MP in Tokyo
A&O Shearman has appointed Scott Neilson as the new managing partner of its Tokyo office, effective 17 February







































































































































