Japan’s top lawyers are gaining visibility as firms manage a surge in corporate restructuring and cross‑border deals.
Market forces reshape legal work
The Tokyo Stock Exchange’s “value‑up” initiative, launched in 2023, forces companies with a price‑to‑book ratio below one to outline plans for boosting corporate value, warning that failure could lead to delisting. This pressure has pushed Japanese firms to spin off unprofitable subsidiaries, creating a niche for legal teams that can untangle assets, staff and intellectual property.
Global private‑equity groups are snapping up these carve‑out assets, while management buyouts add another layer of complexity. Lawyers are now handling both the due‑diligence side for sellers and the financing and regulatory reviews for buyers, expanding their advisory track records.
At the same time, shrinking domestic demographics and limited growth prospects are prompting corporations to seek acquisitions abroad. The rise in cross‑border M&A has turned regulatory compliance and thorough due‑diligence into core revenue streams for many firms.
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Bank of Japan policy adds another twist
From May 2025 to May 2026, the Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate twice. In an environment where holding cash carries higher opportunity costs, companies are prioritising strategic investment over idle funds. This shift opens new advisory opportunities for law firms that can guide clients through complex financing structures.
The Asia Business Law Journal released its annual A‑List, naming the top 100 lawyers and 30 Legal Icons in Japan. The list draws on nominations from in‑house counsel, both domestic and overseas, and partners at international firms.
While many of the honourees practice in Tokyo, a notable share operate out of Osaka, the country’s second‑largest city. This geographic spread reflects the broader distribution of corporate activity across the nation.
Spotlight on leading practitioners
Among the highlighted lawyers is Takanori Abe, managing partner at Abe & Partners. A client praised him, saying, “it would not have been possible to win the case … had Takanori and his team not been advocating for us.”
London‑based Shohta Ueno, executive director and assistant general counsel at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, called Abe “an exceptional patent litigator who has delivered outstanding results for Regeneron over the past year.”
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David Banchik, chief IP counsel at Galderma SA, added that Abe “was very effective working with an international team of lawyers and technical experts as part of a multijurisdictional litigation while managing all of the complexities of the litigation locally.”
Akira Ehira, partner at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, earned commendation from Guy Lachmann of Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer Baratz, who said, “Mr Ehira consistently proved to be an extremely top tier quality expert on the matters addressed by him.”
Eric Marcks of southgate received a commendation from Tom Platts of Stephenson Harwood, who called him a “standout figure in the Japanese legal field” with a “rare ability to bridge the cultural and legal gaps that often arise in multi‑jurisdictional deals.”
These endorsements illustrate how specialised expertise, from patent litigation to AI governance, drives recognition in this year’s A‑List.
The list influences client choices.
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For companies adapting to the new regulatory environment, having counsel who can anticipate investor concerns and align legal strategy with broader business goals is increasingly valuable. This practical edge can mean the difference between a smooth spin‑off and a costly, protracted dispute.
The A‑List methodology relied on extensive research, tapping thousands of in‑house counsel and international partners to pinpoint lawyers who are “star performers” and “luminaries” of Japan’s legal profession. No fees or other requirements were needed for entry, ensuring a broad pool of candidates.
Legal Icons, defined as “the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike,” include individuals who mentor within top firms and generate significant business for their practices.
As the Japanese corporate sector continues to adapt to domestic pressures and global opportunities, the demand for sophisticated legal advice is set to rise, reinforcing the prominence of the professionals featured in the A‑List.
