From a Two-Person Team to a 65-Member Organization in 10 Years

Nihon M&A Center established its Singapore office in 2016 with just two team members. Today, the overseas division operates across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, with approximately 65 professionals dedicated to overseas business activities.

This anniversary event was held not only to celebrate the 10-year milestone of the overseas business but also to express gratitude to the clients and partners who have supported the journey and to share the vision for the next decade.

The event was held under the theme:
"Advancing the Japan-Southeast Asia M&A Bridge."

Approximately 350 internal and external stakeholders, including business owners, financial institutions, accounting firms, investors, and strategic partners from Japan and throughout Southeast Asia, gathered at the venue. The event fostered meaningful conversations and cross-border connections, highlighting the strength and breadth of the network built over the past ten years.

A Decade of Overseas Expansion That Began in Singapore

Mr. Yusuke Ojima, Corporate Officer and Head of Overseas Division at Nihon M&A Center, took the stage to deliver the "Nihon M&A Center Overseas Division 10-Year Milestone Presentation."

Prior to the presentation, a milestone video traced the division's journey from its entry into Singapore in 2016 to its expansion across Southeast Asia. The video highlighted the establishment of regional offices, collaborations with local partners, and numerous cross-border M&A transactions completed over the past decade.

During his presentation, Mr. Ojima expressed his gratitude to clients, partner firms, and team members across the region, emphasizing that the division's growth would not have been possible without their support. He also shared the division's aspirations to expand beyond Southeast Asia and further develop its role as a platform that supports the growth of both Japanese and local companies worldwide.

Exploring the Potential of Cross-Border M&A Through the Perspectives of Sellers, Buyers, and Partners

The first panel discussion, "Seller Perspectives: Navigating Cross-Border M&A," featured business owners who had successfully completed M&A transactions.

The panelists shared candid insights into the motivations behind their decisions, the evaluation process, and the impact of the transactions on their businesses.

The next session, "Building an M&A Ecosystem That Drives Better Outcomes for Business Owners," brought together leaders from financial institutions and professional advisory firms.

The discussion highlighted the importance of a collaborative ecosystem involving financial institutions, accounting firms, and advisors in helping business owners make informed decisions and achieve successful M&A outcomes.

The afternoon concluded with a fireside chat featuring Mr. Shin Ueno, President and CEO of Okayama-based Compass Inc., titled "Growing Through M&A: Buyer's View on Strategic Expansion."

Mr. Ueno shared valuable perspectives on the opportunities created through M&A, including overseas expansion and long-term business growth.

Renewing Our Commitment to the Next Decade

The evening celebration opened with an energetic Japanese taiko drum performance. Among the performers was Mr. Kengo Kurosawa from Nihon M&A Center Singapore, who has practiced taiko since childhood.

The opening dinner video featured a special appearance by "AI MIYAKE," a digital version of Mr. Suguru Miyake, President and Representative Director of Nihon M&A Center Holdings. His fluent English presentation delighted and energized the audience.

During the traditional Kagami Biraki ceremony, Mr. Daisuke Kakihara, President of Singapore Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, delivered the Kampai address. Together, participants celebrated the 10th anniversary milestone and marked the beginning of the next chapter for Nihon M&A Center's overseas business.

The evening also featured the presentation of the "Deal of the Decade" and "Partner of the Decade" awards, recognizing landmark M&A transactions and key partners who made significant contributions to the development of the overseas business over the past ten years. The awards were presented by Mr. Naoki Takeuchi, President & Representative Director of Nihon M&A Center.

The event concluded with a commemorative video featuring congratulatory messages from clients and partners across Japan and Southeast Asia. The messages reflected the trust, relationships, and partnerships that have been built over the past decade.

This 10th anniversary event served as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past ten years, express gratitude to those who have supported the journey, and renew our commitment to the future.

With appreciation for the past decade, Nihon M&A Center now embarks on the next ten years of growth, continuing to strengthen the bridge between Japan and Southeast Asia through M&A.

We've Renewed Our Cross-Border M&A Service Site

As the first step toward the next ten years, we have renewed our Cross-Border M&A service site.
It offers valuable content not only for those considering overseas M&A, but also for anyone who wants to get a clear picture of ASEAN today.
We will continue to add content going forward, so please stay tuned.