The antitrust and competition department at Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) is lauded by clients for its ‘exemplary high standards of responsiveness and commercially sound advice‘ and for its ‘consistently very high standards of professionalism‘. The practice is dually headed by Junya Ae and Akira Inoue. Ae, who brings previous experience in competition policy matters, is an expert in cartel and merger control, while Inoue is especially experienced in international cartel cases and general antitrust matters. Other notable names within the ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ team include the former secretary general of the Japan Fair Trade Commission Shuichi Sugahisa, Michio Suzuki for advice on the merger control aspects of M&A transactions, and associates Ryo Yamaguchi and Hiroaki Nagahashi.

Morrison Foerster‘s highly rated department is experienced in a range of antitrust and competition issues, including complex litigation, regulatory investigations, merger control filings, and administrative procedures before domestic and international competition authorities. Rony Gerrits, commended by clients for being ‘quick with responses’, leads the practice and is the name to note for international cartel investigations and cases at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property. The team also includes Chie Yakura and Tomohiko Kimura; Yakura is recommended for litigation involving trade secrets, while Kimura is a key contact for clients seeking representation before the Japan Fair Trade Commission. Yuichi Inase and Tomoki Kodama were promoted to partner in January 2022 and January 2023 respectively.

The team at Jones Day is headed up by Hiromitsu Miyakawa, who brings more than 20 years’ experience in antitrust and competition work. The practice offers counsel on cartel prosecutions, government investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance matters, and general compliance advice, to a client base which ranges from manufacturers, telecom companies, retailers, and service providers. Associate Chizuru Yoshida is adept at providing merger filing analysis and antitrust regulatory cases.

White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) is particularly commended for its experience with the Japan Fair Trade Commission, with ‘truly astounding‘ team member Hideo Nakajima leveraging his experience as former secretary general. Toshio Dokei leads the Tokyo-based team, which also includes ‘strong competition lawyer‘ Takako Onoki. Dokei frequently advises on cases involving resale price maintenance claims, abuse of superior bargaining power, and cartels, while Onoki is a key name for global merger notifications, antitrust investigations, and related litigation. The practice is experienced at advising domestic and international companies, with clients such as Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

A&O Shearman‘s antitrust practice is jointly led by Masahisa Ikeda, Toshiro Mochizuki, and Kana Morimura. Ikeda is the name to note for government investigations and securities law, while Mochizuki regularly advises on corporate issues and US antitrust matters. Morimura is skilled at antitrust litigation and compliance matters. The department as a whole is recommended for its regular collaboration with teams in Europe and the US, which enable it to offer advice on US and EU antitrust matters.

Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)‘s Tokyo-based antitrust team benefits from the firm’s global network, with clients able to access antitrust advice in Europe, US, and Asia. EU competition law and anti-monopoly expert Masafumi Shikakura leads the team, which is proficient in cartel investigations, merger filings, market investigations and sector inquiries, and cases relating to misuse of market power. Experienced M&A lawyer Natsuko Sugihara regularly works with the team.

The competition, regulation, and trade department at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is jointly led by Brussels-based Kyriakos Fountoukakos, Hong Kong-based Adelaide Luke, and Tokyo-based Joel Rheuben, who was promoted to Of Counsel in May 2023. With a strong international network, the practice is able to advise on cross-border merger control, cartel and regulatory investigations, and outbound antitrust and competition law cases, as well as distribution agreements and joint ventures.