Mikiharu Mori
Managing Partner
Tokyo
- Language : Japanese, English
- Mail : mikiharu.mori@tkilaw.com
Co-founder and Managing Partner of the firm. Mikiharu represents Japanese and global corporations in cross-border M&A, Takeover Bids (TOBs)/MBOs, activist and hostile takeover (unsolicited bid) defense, domestic M&A, Private Equity, corporate misconduct and crisis management, corporate governance, and energy/infrastructure projects.Recognized in various media rankings, Mikiharu was ranked 5th overall in the Cross-Border M&A category of Nikkei’s 2025 "Corporate Legal and Tax Affairs / Attorney Survey” and he was also selected as finalist of Dealmaker of the Year in “ALB Japan Law Awards 2025/2026”.
Key publications include Contract Practice for Cross-Border M&A (Editor/Author) (Chuo-Keizaisha, 2021) and Takeover Bid Practice by Scenario (2nd Edition) (Chuo-Keizaisha, 2025).
As a Nikkei "Think! Expert," Mikiharu’s commentary is frequently featured in major economic newspapers, magazines, and TV news programs. Mikiharu serves as an outside statutory auditor for a corporation, chairperson of special investigation committees for corporate misconduct, chairperson of special committees for TOBs, advisor to the International Affairs Working Group of Section of Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association, and Executive Director of Law Alumni Association of the University of Tokyo.
Mikiharu graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law in 2002, and earned an LL.M. from Columbia Law School (in New York City) in 2011.
PRACTICES
- Corporate, M&A (Cross-border, Domestic)
- Takeover Bids (TOBs)/MBOs
- Activist and hostile takeover (unsolicited bid) defense
- Private Equity
- Corporate Misconduct and Crisis Management
- Corporate Governance
- Energy, Infrastructure projects
REPRESENTATIVE WORK
[Cross-Border (Out-bound) M&A]
July 2018
OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
Acquisition of 3A Health Care S.r.l, an Italian nebulizer development and production company.
October 2018
Tadano Ltd.
Establishment of a joint venture through the carve-out of the crane business from Indian crane manufacturer Escorts Limited.
October 2018, December 2019, June 2022
Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Acquisition of shares in U.S.-based Pentagon Technologies Group, Inc.
November 2018
Mandom Corporation
Share acquisition to subsidize ACG INTERNATIONAL SDN. BHD., a cosmetics brand operator in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.
May 2019
Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Acquisition of U.S.-based Avista Technologies, Inc. and UK-based Avista Technologies (UK)Ltd.
June 2019
ZENSHO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
Acquisition of TCRS Restaurants Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia.
March 2020
Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Acquisition of Grazper Technologies ApS in Denmark.
August 2020
Yokogawa Electric Corporation
Investment and business alliance with Bloom Biorenewables SA in Switzerland.
May 2023
YASKAWA Electric Corporation
Investment and capital/business alliance with Oishii Farm Corporation in the U.S.
July 2023
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Asset transfer of anti-inflammatory eye drops Flarex®, anti-fungal eye drops Natacyn®, anti-inflammatory/anti-infective eye drops TobraDex®ST, anti-allergy eye drops ZERVIATE®, and dry eye drops FRESHKOTE® to Harrow Health, Inc. (U.S.).
March 2025
Nagase & Co., Ltd.
Acquisition of the high-purity semiconductor chemicals business in the Asia region (Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan) from SACHEM, Inc. in the U.S.
February 2026
Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services Inc. (JICT)
Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services Inc. (JICT) : Investment in May Mobility, Inc in the U.S. alongside MUFG Bank, Ltd.
March 2026
KATO WORKS CO., LTD.
Execution of a Investment and Shareholders’ Agreement with Action Construction Equipment Ltd. for the Establishment of a Joint Venture in India.
April 2026
Shimadzu Corporation
Acquisition of German startup Plasmion GmbH.
May 2026
Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Divestiture of its U.S. subsidiary Pentagon Technologies Group, Inc. to AEQUITA GmbH & Co. KG in Germany.
[Domestic & In-bound M&A/Private Equity/ TOB (Tender Offer Bids) & MBO/Defense against Activism & Hostile Takeover (Unsolicited Bids)]
April 2018
Orchestra Private Equity
Tender offer (TOB) for Maruman Corporation.
August 2019
MAJESTY GOLF Co., Ltd.
Privatization via Management Buyout (MBO) sponsored by Orchestra Private Equity.
January 2021
TOKYO ENERGY & SYSTEMS INC.
Succession of a portion of Hitachi Plant Construction, Ltd.’s thermal power generation-related business via company split.
March 2022
DAIHO CORPORATION
Capital and business alliance with ASO CORPORATION (third-party allotment) and self-tender offer against market purchases by CITY INDEX ELEVENTH CO., Ltd. (Chairman of the Special Committee) .
February 2023
Sojitz Corporation
Sale of subsidiary Tokyo Yusoh Co., Ltd. to Central Tank Terminal Co., Ltd. (a KKR portfolio company).
May 2024
JSR Corporation
Acquisition of all shares of Yamanaka Hutech Corporation, a manufacturer of high-purity chemicals for semiconductors.
June 2025
Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd.
Prior announcement (not executed) of a TOB for Tokyo Cosmos Electric shares by Bourns Japan Holdings LCC against shareholder proposals (Chairman of the Special Committee).
July 2025
SHIFT Inc.
Capital and business alliance with MEDIA DO Co., Ltd.
September 2025
Mandom Corporation
Privatization via MBO sponsored by a CVC; consideration of a counter-proposal from Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.
October 2025
Fuji Oil Company, Ltd.
Tender offer (TOB) by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. for Fuji Oil Company, Ltd. (Chairman of the Special Committee for Fuji Oil Company, Ltd.).
October 2025
JSR Corporation
Succession of the in-vitro diagnostics business to a newly established company and subsequent sale of all shares to Tokuyama Corporation.
October 2025
YASKAWA Electric Corporation
Establishment of a joint venture (Cellafa Bioscience Inc.) with Astellas Pharma Inc. to develop and provide a manufacturing platform for regenerative medicine products.
November 2025
Mandom Corporation
Introduction of a poison pill (takeover defense measures) following large-scale share purchases by CITY INDEX ELEVENTH CO., Ltd.(Chairman of the Special Committee).
January 2026
SHIFT Inc.
Acquisition of shares in Nisseicom, Limited through its investment subsidiary SHIFT Growth Capital Inc.
February 2026
SAAF Holdings Co., Ltd.
Introduction of a poison pill (takeover defense measures) against large-scale share purchases involving "wolf pack tactics".
May 2026
SAAF Holdings Co., Ltd.
Proxy fight and shareholder meeting regarding a shareholder request to convene an extraordinary general meeting.
August 2026
NS UNITED KAIUN KAISHA, LTD.
Pre-Announcement of Tender Offer by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha to Take NS UNITED KAIUN KAISHA, LTD. Private, and Pre-Announcement of Self-Tender Offer by NS UNITED KAIUN KAISHA, LTD.
[Corporate Crisis Management]
April 2024
LUCKLAND CO., LTD.
Investigation as the Special Investigation Committee regarding inappropriate expense reimbursement involving management (Chairman of the Special Investigation Committee).
[Energy & Infrastructure Projects]
The Chugoku Electric Power Company, Incorporated
Support for investment in an offshore wind power project in Taiwan.
[Healthcare & Life Science]
January 2022
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
Entered into a license agreement with ADC Therapeutics SA. (Switzerland) for the anti-CD19 antibody-drug conjugate "Loncastuximab tesirine".
July 2023
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Entered into an out-licensing agreement with Visiox Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (U.S.) for the product rights in the U.S. regarding the glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment OMLONTI®.
July 2023
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Entered into an out-licensing agreement with Harrow Health, Inc. (U.S.) for the product rights in the U.S. regarding the vernal keratoconjunctivitis treatment Verkazia® and artificial tears Cationorm®Plus.
June 2025
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Entered into an exclusive license agreement with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (U.S.) for the development and commercialization of "Povetacicept" in Japan and South Korea.
Recognition
2026
Selected as The A-List (Top 100 Lawyers) in "The A-List: Japan's Top 100 Lawyers and 30 Legal Icons 2026" published by the Asia Business Law Journal
2025
Selected as 5th in the Cross-Border M&A category of Nikkei's “Corporate Legal and Tax Lawyer Survey 2025”
2021-2025
Selected as Rising Star Partner (M&A) in IFLR1000
2025
Selected as “Distinguished Advisor” in the Asia Pacific Business Awards 2024–2025
2025
Shortlisted as Deal Maker of the Year in ALB Japan Law Awards 2025
2024-2025
Selected as Notable Practitioner (Corporate and M&A) in asialaw
2024
Shortlisted for 'Top 10 Best Legal Consultants from Japan 2024' by CEO Insights Asia
2023
Ranked in 9th place in Nikkei's "Top 20 M&A Lawyers in 2023"
2022
Selected as a Recommended Lawyer in the Corporate and M&A category of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022
2022
Shortlisted as Managing Partner of the Year in ALB Japan Law Awards 2022
2021
Shortlisted as Managing Partner of the Year in ALB Japan Law Awards 2021
2020
Selected as finalist of Dealmaker of the Year in ALB Japan Law Awards 2020
2020
Selected as Leading Lawyer – Notable Practitioner in IFLR1000 30th edition
2020
Ranked in 9th place in The Nikkei’s “Corporate Legal Affairs and Lawyer Survey 2020”
EXPERIENCE
- Oct. 2004-Dec. 2015
- Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu
- Sep. 2011-Jul. 2012
- Shearman & Sterling LLP New York office
- Jan. 2016-Mar. 2019, Partner from Jul. 2017
- Hibiya-Nakata
- Apr. 2019
- Established Tokyo International Law Office
QUALIFICATION
- 2004 Japan (Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)
- 2012 New York, U.S.
EDUCATION
- 2002
- LL.B., The University of Tokyo
- 2011
- LL.M., Columbia Law School
OTHER
- Sep.2025 Chairperson, Special Committee, Fuji Oil Company, Ltd. (Tender Offer)
- Sep.2025 Chairperson, Special Committee, Mandom Corporation (MBO/Tender Offer)
- Apr. 2025 Chair of Special Committee of Tokyo Cosmos Electric Co.,Ltd. (Tender Offer)
- Aug. 2024 Advisor to the International Affairs Working Group of Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association
- Feb. 2024 Chair of Special Investigation Committee of LUCKLAND Co., Ltd.
- Oct. 2023 Appointed as Executive Director of Law Alumni Association of the University of Tokyo
- Mar. 2022 Chair of Special Committee of Daiho Corp. (Tender Offer)
- Jun. 2021 Appointed as Statutory Auditor (External) of Mandom Corporation
- Sep. 2020 Registered as JCAA panel arbitrator candidate
Publication
- Oct. 2025
- Practical Guide to Tender Offers – Second Edition ( Chuokeizai-Sha)
MEDIA
2026.July
"PE Funds Enter 'Golden Age': M&A Booms, More Players Join the Japanese Market [Economic Panorama]." (Jiji Press)