M&A & Business Succession
M&A・事業承継The sale or transfer of a business is, for many owner-managers, the culmination of a lifetime of work. These decisions carry a weight that goes far beyond legal formalities — they involve responsibility to the next generation, the livelihoods of employees, and the continuity of a culture built over years.
We provide end-to-end support for M&A transactions involving unlisted companies, from due diligence through to closing. Drawing on extensive M&A experience at an international law firm, we assess the fundamental risks and opportunities of a transaction from both the buy-side and sell-side.
You are planning an M&A acquisition but are unsure how thoroughly to investigate the target’s legal risks. You are concerned about proceeding with hidden liabilities.
With no successor in sight, you are considering selling the business through M&A — but you don’t know how to find a buyer, set a price, or manage the process.
You want to pass the company on to the next generation, but share transfer methods, inheritance tax implications, and successor relationships are all intertwined in ways that feel difficult to untangle.
- M&A transactions for unlisted companies (share transfers, business transfers)
- Legal due diligence
- Drafting and negotiating transaction documents (LOI, SPA, etc.)
- Cross-border M&A support (including English-language contracts)
- Corporate restructuring (company splits, mergers, etc.)
- Business succession planning and implementation
- Inheritance and share succession for owner-managers
Identifying what truly matters
In due diligence, we go beyond legal form to assess what matters from a business risk perspective. Rather than compiling an exhaustive list of issues, we prioritize the risks that are genuinely consequential to the transaction.
Relentless focus on the client’s interests in negotiation
We enter every negotiation with a clear understanding of what matters most to our client — and what can be conceded. That clarity drives effective and focused advocacy.
Consistent support through to closing
M&A transactions present different challenges at each stage. By maintaining consistent attorney involvement throughout, we prevent information gaps and ensure a smooth process.
We have handled numerous M&A transactions at an international law firm, including cross-border deals with a focus on China-related inbound transactions. We are also able to address adjacent areas — including business succession and inheritance matters — in an integrated way.
- Legal due diligence and drafting of final agreements for M&A using an absorption-type demerger scheme
- Legal due diligence and drafting of share purchase agreements for the acquisition of a venture company by a major Japanese automotive manufacturer
- Legal due diligence for a Japanese subsidiary of a Chinese company seeking listing on China’s securities market
- Advisory services related to a business partnership between a Chinese ride-hailing company and a Japanese telecommunications company