Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)’s tax and transfer pricing practice is capable of providing both domestic and international clients with the full range of tax services, which includes cross-border tax planning assistance, contentious expertise, and advise on the tax aspects of transactional matters. Edwin Whatley and Ryutaro Oka jointly lead the team; Whatley specialises in US and Japanese tax issues, while Oka focuses on advising clients on cross-border M&A taxation as well as outbound work. For tax litigation, Hideyuki Yamamoto is a key name, while Shinichi Kobayashi and Yukiko Komori are recommended for their extensive experience in transfer pricing mandates. For other matters including tax audit support, tax effective profit repatriations and exit strategies, Akihiko Tsuda and Luke Tanner are names to note.

The tax team at Withers Japan, Zeirishi Houjin is commended by clients for its ability to ‘provide practical advice‘, with co-head Eric Roose lauded for his ‘super technical skills‘ and ability to ‘explain complex things in a very easy to understand manner‘. Fellow co-head Kohei Kobayashi is an international tax adviser and licensed tax attorney, experienced in assisting clients with international estate taxation planning matters as well as the tax aspects of M&A transactions and restructurings. The practice is also recommended for its work advising high-net-worth individuals, private equity houses, and international corporations.

The tax team at DLA Piper Tokyo Partnership Gaikokuho Kyodojigyo Horitsu Jimusho is headed by of counsel Keitaro Uzawa, who is especially focused on international tax work, transfer pricing issues, and customs duties. The practice is able to advise international clients by virtue of its global network, with clients spanning the software, manufacturing, and insurance industries. Other work includes advising on the tax implications of corporate restructurings, handing due diligence issues relating to the Japanese tax authority, and acting in tax refund claims. Manato Yamamoto is another name to note.

Jones Day’s tax team fields a full-service tax practice, with regular collaboration with other teams at the firm including the M&A, real estate and IP departments. Koichi Inoue, who leads the practice, is experienced in representing taxpayers in complex tax litigation, as well as advising on the tax aspects of restructurings and transactions. Working alongside him is of counsel Kyosuke Katahira, who is a key contact for international tax matters, such as cross-border transactions and transfer pricing issues. Fellow of counsel Taku Osawa is another name to note.

PwC Legal Japan‘s tax department is headed up by Michito Kitamura, who is especially adept at wealth management and the tax aspects of ESG-driven transactions. The practice is also well-versed in tax disputes and tax audits, with further experience in providing transactional tax advice and handling issues involving Japanese tax authorities. Kozo Kuromatsu is a key contact in the practice for all stages of tax matters.