The team at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is the ‘go to’ team for all competition and antitrust matters, advising on international cartel investigations, merger control filings, and the antitrust aspects of acquisitions. The team is headed by Yusuke Nakano, who frequently advises on complex multi-jurisdictional antitrust matters, and Vassili Moussis, who is particularly experienced in international competition cases. Other key contacts in the group include Takeshi Suzuki, who focuses on merger control, Atsushi Yamada, who is recognised for his expertise in domestic filings, Shigeyoshi Ezaki, who is ‘a strategic thinker with attention to details‘, and the ‘incredibly impressive’ Etsuko Hara, who has experience in multi-jurisdictional cartel cases, merger filings and distribution agreements.

Praised as an ‘elite firm’, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Tokyo Office has experience in handling cross-border merger filings and global investigations. The team is co-led by Kenji Ito, who specialises in antitrust counseling, and Hideki Utsunomiya, who focuses on antitrust policy issues and is frequently sought after by the government. Other key members include Aruto Kagami, who has extensive expertise in international investigations and merger control matters, and Yusuke Takamiya, who has been involved in numerous domestic and international government investigations and litigation. Saori Takekoshi is experienced in the IT and digital sectors, while Tomoya Fujita advises on antitrust risks in M&A transactions.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu‘s practice stands out for its 'profound expertise in antitrust law which is complemented by a deep understanding of the local market dynamics', offering clients comprehensive support across a range of competition and antitrust matters. Practice head Yoshitoshi Imoto focuses on merger cases and complex government investigations. Kaoru Hattori has extensive experience handling high profile carter investigations, and Ryohei Tanaka has expertise in merger control proceedings. Leveraging his experience at the JFTC, Yusuke Kaeriyama manages merger cases, antitrust investigations, and litigation. Nobuaki Ito is a key name to note for international and domestic mergers and antitrust investigations.

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.

The antitrust and competition team at Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners has substantial experience in handling investigations conducted by various regulatory authorities. Jointly led by Tetsuya Nagasawa, Takashi Ishii, and Kagenori Sako, the team regularly advises on bid-rigging cases and cartel investigations conducted by the Japan Fair Trade Commission.  It also handles a mix of merger control mandates, disputes related to consumer protection and competition, as well as regulatory compliance advosory matters. Kagenori Sako is recommended for cartel defense, private antitrust litigation, and merger clearances. Other notable names  include Yuichi Oda, Kosuke Yoshimura, and Mizuki Kanno, all of whom bring extensive experience in both international and domestic cartel investigations.

The antitrust and competition team at TMI Associates is jointly led by Harumichi Uchida, who focuses on general corporate and competition matters; Yohsuke Higuchi, Kentaro Toda, and Yukio Kaiju, who are well-versed in international cartel matters and merger control regulations; Koichiro Hanamoto, who advises on compliance issues and business planning; and Daigo Fujii, who is experienced in rapid JFTC’s clearances. The London-based team is led by Akihiro Kudo, a dual-qualified lawyer, who is well-versed in international cartel investigations and multi-jurisdictional merger control cases.

The team at Atsumi & Sakai is supported by a global network of offices specialising in domestic and international merger control and antitrust compliance matters. Team leader Saori Hanada has significant experience in cartel cases, including internal audits, leniency applications, and private enforcement. Setsuko Yufu handles cartel investigations, merger controls, and dominant position issues, while Tatsuo Yamashima is experienced in working with domestic and foreign authorities on cartel investigations. Masayuki Matsuura is recommended for merger cases.

Iwata Godo‘s team is well-versed in handling cross-border cartel investigations, dawn raids and leniency applications, and domestic bid-rigging matters. The team is co-led by Teppei Ishikawa, who bring extensive experience in merger control notifications and business alliances; and Manabu Eiguchi, who focuses on risk management, and commercial litigation. Landry Guesdon, a registered foreign attorney, is also a name to note.

Miura & Partners‘ team handles all types of competition matters including filings, investigations and competition law complaince. With partners who have experience at the Japan Fair Trade Commission, the team excels in defence in JFTC investigations and merger control matters. The practice is led by Masayuki Atsumi, who has in-depth knowledge of cross-border antitrust matters. Haruka Otaki advises on antitrust issues involving China.