The antitrust and competition team at Nishimura & Asahi brings extensive expertise in domestic merger cases and is highly active in the IT-digital and healthcare sectors. The team is led by Kozo Kawai, who is well-versed in international trade matters and Japan Fair Trade Commission regulatory investigations. Junko Wakabayashi is well-versed in representing multinational clients in antitrust issues. Other key members include Madoka Shimada, who advises on domestic and international cartels and bid-rigging matters; Kojiro Fujii, who manages cases involving unilateral conduct and internet platforms; Nobuhiro Tanaka, who handles multijurisdictional merger fillings, investigations, and cross-border antitrust disputes; and Kazumaro Kobayashi , who focuses on cartel allegations and merger notifications involving the Japan Fair Trade Commission and competition authorities.

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Key clients

  • Nippon Steel Corporation
  • Toshiba Corporation
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
  • Mitsui Chemical, Inc.
  • Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.
  • JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
  • Toyota Motor Corporation
  • Honda Motor Co, Ltd.
  • Aeon, Ltd.
  • Broadcom, Inc.
  • Denso Corporation
  • KDDI Corporation
  • ENEOS Corporation
  • Asahi Kasei Corporation
  • Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line)

Work highlights

  • Acted as counsel to Broadcom in connection with the JFTC merger filing for Broadcom’s planned acquisition of VMware, Inc., and successfully obtained unconditional clearance, despite the complicated regulatory environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Advised NSC on the merger filings, including US HSR filings, FSR filings, and CFIUS filings in connection with its acquisition of USS.
  • Advised MELCO and MHI on global merger filings to integrate their respective power generator businesses through the establishment of a joint venture.

Lawyers

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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kozo Kawai

Other key lawyers

Madoka Shimada, Kojiro Fujii, Nobuhiro Tanaka, Kazumaro Kobayashi, Junko Wakabayashi