Mitsubishi Materials Corporation: Sale of semiconductor polysilicon business to SUMCO Corporation
Leading Japanese law firm Nishimura & Asahi advised Mitsubishi Materials Corporation [TSE: 5711], a Japan-based materials manufacturer, on the sale of its semiconductor polysilicon business to SUMCO Corporation [TSE: 3436], a Japan-based silicon wafers manufacturer.
The Nishimura & Asahi team advising Mitsubishi Materials was led by partners Mitsuhiro Harada and Sakka Kobayashi, who were responsible for contract negotiations and overall management of the deal, Kazumaro Kobayashi, who was responsible for procedures under the antitrust laws, and Kaoru Tatsumi, who was responsible for reporting to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and other investment regulatory matters in the United States.
People
Mr. Tatsumi mainly advises clients on international and domestic corporate transactions such as mergers, MBOs/LBOs, joint ventures, venture capital investments and other types of M&A transactions, as well as general corporate matters and commercial disputes relating to such corporate transactions; advising major business companies, financial institutions, and private equity funds, both in Japan and overseas.
Mr. Tatsumi is one of only a few lawyers in Japan who has been seconded as an attorney to the Ministry of Justice, and during his tenure there he had a significant role in important governmental activities, such as the amendment of the Companies Act.
Drawing on his significant expertise and deep knowledge, he has authored numerous books and articles in the area of M&A, as well as general corporate law. These publications provide practical solutions to complex legal issues, and bolster Mr. Tatsumi's reputation as a highly respected legal practitioner.
Kazumaro’s antitrust practice spans various industries, including automotive, energy, telecommunication, medical/healthcare and finance. Kazumaro regularly represents clients in high-profile matters, including merger and acquisitions that require approval in multiple jurisdictions, and global and domestic cartel investigations.
Sakka’s practice covers private and public M&A transactions, cross-border deals, and day-to-day commercial business. She also has wide-ranging experience representing companies in defending against hostile takeovers. She was seconded to one of the biggest telecommunication company in Japan, working as a Manager in the Corporate Strategy Planning Division. During the secondment, she was put in charge of M&A involving many domestic and cross-border transactions from business and legal standpoints. She acquired qualification as an attorney in New York and Texas during her secondment to an American firm. Leveraging experience in the M&A division of the telecommunication company and an American firm, she focuses on providing strategic legal support in various sectors, including M&A (Inbound/Outbound) and business alliances. Sakka provides tailored legal services in a timely and flexible manner, and plays a leading role in various complex transactions.
Since joining the firm, Mitsuhiro Harada has been actively involved in Mergers & Acquisitions and has represented Japanese or non-Japanese buyers or sellers in numerous cross-border transactions in varied industries, including stock and asset acquisitions, private equity and venture capital investments, joint ventures and strategic alliances. He has recently become deeply engaged in international transactions, particularly in assisting Japanese companies with expanding into East and South East Asian markets. In addition, he has provided a broad range of legal services in the field of general corporate matters, including corporate governance issues and civil or commercial disputes.