Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “US rejection of Nippon Steel deal may pour cold water on future US investment from Japan” (September 10, 2024)　　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei (in Japanese), “Beneficial Shareholders Excluded from Tokyo Damages Lawsuits, Overseas Investors Rebuff Ruling” (April 29, 2024)　

Selected as Best Lawyers 2025　

Ken Kiyohara, our representative partner, has been recognized as among best lawyers in the “Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law” section and “Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice” for 15th edition of Best Lawyers in Japan.

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　　

As a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group (IOSWG), Ken Kiyohara participated in the panel discussions on "Limited vs Reasonable Assurance" and “Audit Committees Supervision of Corporate Reporting and Audit” held as 2024 Plenary Meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) (April 2024).

Quoted in an article of Bloomberg, “Bidding War Over Japan’s Roland DG Raises Governance Questions” (March 22, 2024)　

Selected as Best Lawyers 2024　　

Ken Kiyohara, our representative partner, has been recognized as among best lawyers in the “Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law” section and “Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice” for 14th edition of Best Lawyers in Japan.

Advocacy Report by the “Working Group on Corporate Disclosure” of the Financial System Council on December 27, 2022, the Financial Services Agency of Japan posted on its website a Report by the “Working Group on Corporate Disclosures” of the Financial System Council, in furtherance of the Report by the Working Group, dated as of June 13, 2022, addressing remaining discussion points of streamlining “quarterly reporting” by Japanese companies and updates to sustainability reporting regime. Once an English version or summary of the Report is made available, we will post an update. Ken Kiyohara has continued to have participate in the discussions of these Reports as a member of the Working Group on Corporate Disclosure.　

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Tokyo urged to call on companies to step up English disclosure of securities reports” (September 16, 2022), in connection with strategic importance of the IR and urgent need to address negative impact of inattentiveness by many Japanese companies to the significance of full disclosure in English.　

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Tokyo Seeks more aggressive disclosure guidelines on strategic shareholdings following experts’ report” (September 7, 2022), in connection with proposed revisions to the disclosure rules, concerning strategic shareholdings and the impact.　

Report by the “Working Group on Corporate Disclosure” of the Financial System Council　

On June 13, 2022, the Financial Services Agency of Japan posted on its website a Report by the “Working Group on Corporate Disclosures” of the Financial System Council, addressing such subjects as sustainability reporting by Japanese companies, disclosure of corporate governance, and quarterly reporting. Summary of the report in English is available here.
This is the second time that Ken Kiyohara has participated in the discussions as a member of the Working Group on Corporate Disclosure. The previous report by the Working Group issued in June 2018 is here.

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　　

As a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group (IOSWG), Ken Kiyohara participated in the panel discussions on investors’ and other stakeholders’ expectations to auditors and audit regulators under the “new normal” (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world), held as a part of the virtual 2022 Plenary Meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) (April 26 2022).
See here.

Selected as Best Lawyers 2023　

Ken Kiyohara, our representative partner, has been recognized as among best lawyers in the “Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law” section and “Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice” for 13th edition of Best Lawyers in Japan. 

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Toshiba urged to hold open and fair talks with PE firms, not to repeat las year’s mistake” (April 11, 2022)　　

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Toshiba viewed unlikely to go ahead with break-up plan; fresh start needed” (March 24, 2022)　

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　　

As a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group (IOSWG), Ken Kiyohara participated in the panel discussions on investors’ expectation in the area of auditor responsibilities for addressing fraud risks, held as a part of the virtual 2021 Plenary Meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) (April 21 2021).  See here.

Selected as Best Lawyers 2022　

Ken Kiyohara, our representative partner, has been recognized as among best lawyers in the “Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law” section for 12th edition of Best Lawyers in Japan. For more details, please refer to the Best Lawyers Website. 

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “LINE and Nichii Gakkan buyouts highlight loopholes in M&A guidelines and differences between Japanese and US court processes, lawyers say” (July 24, 2020)　

Selected as Best Lawyers 2021　

Ken Kiyohara, our representative partner, has been recognized as among best lawyers in the “Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law” section for 11th edition of Best Lawyers in Japan. For more details, please refer to the Best Lawyers Website. 

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Japan to lower notification threshold as part of expanded scrutiny of foreign investments” (10 October, 2019)　

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Japan’s new METI guidelines aim to curb unfettered behavior by controlling shareholders” (July 24, 2019)　

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　

Participated in the panel discussions, “Perspectives on Audit Committee Activities,” and also a breakout session, at a plenary meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR), as a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group, (May 1 & 2, 2019, Rhodes, Greece)

M&A Forum 2019 (organized by Mergermarket)　

Panel discussion - Room for improvement: Corporate governance and rising shareholder activism (April 10, 2019, Conrad Hotel, Tokyo)

Quoted in an article of Mergermarket and Dealreporter, “TSE shake-up plan welcomed by event investors but concern by long-onlies” (March 22, 2019)　

Accounting and Audit System Research Sub-Committee of The Daiichi-Tokyo Bar Association　

Facilitator of Panel Discussions of the Symposium, “Role of and Expectation for the Audit Committee in Support of Audit Quality- Analysis of Collaboration with Auditor and International Good Practices” (March 13, 2018, Tokyo)

Interview comments on a criminal charge against Mr. Carlos Ghosn, from the perspective of Japanese disclosure rule on executive compensation, featured in a special column covering three expert interviewees, entitled “Compound Eyes: Repercussions of Mr. Ghosn Arrest” of Nikkei Shimbun morning edition (December 4, 2018)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei electronic edition, entitled “Multiplied Effects of Plea Bargain and Whistleblowing Stops Runaway of Top Management: Arrest of Nissan Chair Carolos Ghosn” (November 20, 2018)　

Release of English version of the Report by the “Working Group on Corporate Disclosure” of the Financial System Council (June 28, 2018)　

Quoted in an article of Mergermarket and Dealreporter, “Nihon Nohyaku/ADEKA say premium justifies deal structure and pricing following complaint” (September 20, 2018)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review, “Fujifilm takes its battle for Xerox to US court” (June 20, 2018)　

“International Securities and Capital Markets , IV Developments in Japan,” Vol. 52 The Year in Review 270-272 (2017), Annual Publication of the ABA/Section of International Law　

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　

Participation in the panel discussions at plenary meeting, as a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group, International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (April 19, 2018, IFIAR, Ottawa CANADA)

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review, “Japanese investors riled by discounted tender offers” (March 15, 2018)　

Quoted in an article of Mergermarket and Dealreporter, “Japan’s corporate governance code reform could trigger non-core business sales” (March 14, 2018)　

Accounting and Audit System Research Sub-Committee of The Daiichi-Tokyo Bar Association　

Facilitator of Panel Discussions of the Symposium, “Internal Audit’s Roles in Fraud Risk Management and Remaining Issues: Promoting Collaboration with Auditors and Results of External Assessment of Internal Audit Functions” (February13, 2018)

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Toshiba Memory: MOFCOM yet to initiate formal review, Unigroup opposition could affect time line” (November 10, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “ADK/Bain: WPP files arbitration request with JCAA on alliance termination” (November 2, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “Aeria rejects short-seller ‘inflated download’ accusation” (October 27, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “Toshiba Memory bidder Bain Capital upbeat on timely antitrust clearance” (October 5, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review, “High Court clears path for Idemitsu to issue shares, pursue merger” (July 20, 2017)　

The Year in Review (2016): “ International Securities and Capital Markets: V Developments in Japan”（The International Lawyer, vol. 51）　

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “Japan: Disclosure of AGM votes likely to see more support for activist proposals” (June 14, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of Asian Venture Capital Journal, “Japan carve-outs: chips off the block” (June 13, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “PanaHome: Activists mark milestone victory with improved offer” (April 28, 2017)　

IFIAR (International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators)　

Participation in the panel discussions at plenary meeting and breakout session, as a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group, International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (2017 IFIAR, Tokyo)

Quoted in an article of the Dealreporter, “PanaHome/Panasonic: Shareholder urging PanaHome not to allow Panasonic to vote at AGM” (February 14, 2017)　

Quoted in an article of Dealreporter, “Japan faces growing investor cynicism after Supreme Court rejects JCOM minorities’ appeal” (August 3, 2016)　

Participation as a member of the Advisory Group to the Investor and Other Stakeholder Working Group, International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) (2016 IFIAR Plenary Meeting in London)　

Quoted in a cover story of August issue of A-Plus magazine, a monthly magazine of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, “Toshiba’s True Colours” (August 2015)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review, “Toshiba may face shareholder lawsuits” (July 20, 2015)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review, “Abe’s tax cut, reforms draw cheers” (June 26, 2015)　

Quoted in an article of Asian Venture Capital Journal “Corporate Governance: Thin end of the wedge?” (June 17, 2015)　

Speaker and panelist at the Panel Discussions, 2015 Plenary Meeting of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR), with a report entitled “Trend in Firm Revenue and Growth (Japan): Addressing Some Threats to Audit Quality,” and Breakout Sessions (Taipei, April 2015)　

Speaker at Luncheon of the Taiwan Corporate Governance Association, “Changing Corporate Governance Landscape in Japan by Adoption of Corporate Governance Code” (Taipei, April 2015)　

Presentation “Strategic Alliance, tied with equity investment～Key to Successful Investment in Japanese Company” (Jones Day, Taipei)　

“Japanese Corporate Governance Is Changing with the Adoption of a New Code in 2015” (Jones Day Commentary, February 2015)　

Quoted in an article of Nikkei Asian Review ”Abe’s tax cut, reforms draw cheers” (June 26, 2014)　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “Bitcoin exchange Mt Gox files for bankruptcy protection” (February 28, 2014)　

Quoted in an article of Reuters, “Japan says any bitcoin regulations should be international” (February 27, 2014)　

Quoted in a main article of a special issue of the Asian Lawyer, “Can Abenomics Save Japan?” (January 2014)　

Interviewed for Reuters’ video streaming program, “Foreign shareholders lay siege to Japan’s boardroom” (June 26, 2013)　

Interviewed for comments on the Olympus scandal for a weekly news program, “Japan 7 Days” (November 12, 2011) of NHK World (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)　

Interviewed for comments on the Olympus scandal for a news program of “Newsline” (November 11, 2011) of NHK World　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “Olympus’ proffered truths invite yet more questions” (November 8, 2011)　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “Japan plans short selling curbs” (December 28, 2010)　

“Amendment of the Anti-Monopoly Act of Japan and its Impact on Mergers and Acquisitions” (Jones Day Commentary, September 2009)　

“Recent Developments in Takeover Defense Discussions in Japan” (Jones Day Commentary, September 2008)　

Joint presentation to a leading global company　

“What is “J-Sox”?: Japanese Disclosure Reform and Comparison with The Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act”（together with Richard Kosnik, colleague (then) of Jones Day, New York）

“Recent Revisions to Japanese Tender Offer Rules: Toward Transparency and Fairness” (Jones Day Commentary, June 2007)　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “OC move fuels conflict of interest concerns” (May 8, 2007)　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, ”Comment & Analysis: A takeover battle launched by the upstart Livedoor is a test of how much big corporate groups can protect themselves against unwanted attention”　

Year In Review (2005): “International Securities and Capital Markets: VI Developments in Japan”（The International Lawyer, Vol. 40, No.3）　

“Ongoing Discussions on Takeover Reforms and Defensive Measures” (IBA Asia Pacific Forum Newsletter. Vol.13, No 2　

“Changing takeover practice in Japan” (Corporate Update (Japan), Ashurst, August 2005)　

Year In Review (2004): “International Securities and Capital Markets: VI Developments in Japan”（The International Lawyer, Vol. 39, No.2）　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “Comment & Analysis: Changing channels: a TV bid brings public scrutiny to Japan’s boardrooms?” (March 22, 2005)　

“Directors’ and Officers’ Liability in Japan” (The Willis Worldwide Directory of Directors’ and Officers’ Liability, January 2005)　

“Guide to Cross-Border Tender Offers in Japan” (IFLR 1000 Country Legislation Guide for Japan) (IFLR website）　

Quoted in an article of the Financial Times, “Legal doubts dog ‘groundbreaker’” (November 19, 2004)　

“Legal changes for venture funds in Japan”（Asian Venture Capital Journal Weekly, Vol.17）　

 

“Leveraged Finance, ‘Momentum builds towards leveraged finance surge in Japan’” (IFLR Guide to Japan)