“He is very knowledgeable and has in-depth experience in anti-hostile takeover transactions.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific
Introduction
Gaku Ishiwata has led on a wide range of high-profile M&A transactions in Japan, including cross-border M&A, contested transactions, private equity, crisis management, corporate governance and other matters related to corporate law and financial regulations.
He has served as a member of numerous committees established by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Financial Services Agency related to M&A legislation, and has been actively involved in the development of M&A regulations in Japan. He has also focused on fostering future generations, such as being in charge of the M&A legislation course at The University of Tokyo Graduate School for Law and Politics. In addition to his native language of Japanese, Gaku is fluent in English.
He has served as a member of numerous committees established by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Financial Services Agency related to M&A legislation, and has been actively involved in the development of M&A regulations in Japan. He has also focused on fostering future generations, such as being in charge of the M&A legislation course at The University of Tokyo Graduate School for Law and Politics. In addition to his native language of Japanese, Gaku is fluent in English.
Major Cases
Seminars
- November 08, 2019 (Fri) 14:00～15:30"The Global Expansion of Shareholder Activism"
- 13:30-19:00, Tuesday, November 16, 2010MHM Seminar
- Tuesday, July 29, 2008"Largest-Ever Buyout By A Foreign Company - A Legal Perspective"
Major Awards
- Chambers Asia-Pacific and Global - Corporate/M&A, Japan, Band 1 (2009-2024)
- Chambers Japan Awards 2019 - Outstanding Achievement Award
- Legal 500 - Corporate and M&A, Japan - Hall of Fame
- IFLR1000 - M&A and Private equity, Japan (2008-2024)
- Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) - M&A and Governance: Japan (2008-2024)
- The Best Lawyers in Japan (2009-2024)
Profile
Background
The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1995)
University of Chicago Law School (LL.M., 2001)
Davis Polk & Wardwell (2001-2002)
Lecturer at Kyoto University Law School (2007-2016)
Visiting Professor, The University of Tokyo Graduate School for Law and Politics (2019-2022)
Lecturer at The University of Tokyo Graduate School for Law and Politics (2023-)
Major Activities
- Member of Committee for Study of Limited Liability Companies, organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2002-2003)
- Member of Committee for Study of Tax Framework for Corporate Acquisitions, Divisions and Other Corporate Reorganizations, organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2004-2005)
- Member of Corporate Value Study Group, organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2004-2008)
- Member of Committee for Study of Japanese LLP, organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2004-2005)
- Member of First Subcommittee, Sectional Committee on Financial System, Financial System Council (2005-2006)
- Outside Director of Xebio Holdings Co., Ltd. (2008-2024)
- Member of Study Group for Employee Stock Ownership Plan, organized by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2008-)
- Member of Working Group Regarding New Scheme etc. for M&A, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2010-)
- Member of Liaison Conference on Corporate Governance, organized by Financial Services Agency (2010-)
- Member of Disclosure System Working Group, Specialized Legal System Study Group, Financial Services Agency (2011-)
- Outside Director of United Arrows Ltd. (2013-2020)
- Outside Director of Digital Hearts Holdings Co., Ltd. (2018-2022)
- Member of the Fair M&A Study Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2018-2019)
- Visiting Professor, The University of Tokyo Graduate School for Law and Politics (2019-2022)
- Member of Corporate Restructuring Study Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2020-)
- Member of the Fair Acquisition Study Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2022-)
- Expert Member of the Working Group on Tender Offer Rules and Large Shareholding Reporting Rules of the Financial System Council, Financial Services Agency (2023-)
Qualifications & Affiliations
admitted in Japan, 1997; New York, 2002
membership: Daini Tokyo Bar Association, New York State Bar Association
membership: Daini Tokyo Bar Association, New York State Bar Association