Corporate specialist firm Tokyo International Law Office focuses on international and cross-border transactions. The firm has a solid record facilitating outbound M&A deals by Japanese corporations, joint venture projects with foreign partners, as well as inbound transactions including buyouts, tender offers, carve-outs and mergers. It has a wealth of experience in the automobile, chemicals, manufacturing, entertainment, consumer goods, healthcare and financial services industries. The firm also has close cooperation with more than 150 affiliated foreign local firms in a multitude of jurisdictions. Mikiharu Mori and Koki Yamada are co-managing partners. The firm bolstered its senior ranks in 2024 with seven strategic hires. Notable additions include senior counsel Hidetaka Mihara from Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu and partner Junzaburo Kiuchi from EY Law in capital markets and corporate, former prosecutor Masayuki Otake as counsel in investigations, and partners Makiko Kawamura from EY Tax and Hojung Jun from Baker McKenzie Tokyo in corporate and construction. Counsel Pavitra Iyer departed for Mitsui OSK Lines.
Work highlights
Advised Rohto Pharmaceutical as lead counsel on its $592 million acquisition of Singapore-based traditional Chinese medicine company Eu Yan Sang, alongside minority investor Mitsui & Co. The complex transaction involved acquiring 86% of shares through a Singapore special purpose vehicle, followed by a mandatory takeover offer under Singapore's Takeovers Code. The deal required intricate structuring to address multiple regulatory requirements including Singapore listing rules, Japanese securities regulations and cross-border merger control clearances, while incorporating warranty and indemnity insurance coverage.
Key clients
Amp Solar Group, Inoac Corporation, JSR Corporation, Nagase
