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Gaku Ishiwata
Gaku Ishiwata

Partner | Managing Partner

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Introduction Practices Cases Seminars Related Topics Major Awards Profile
Gaku Ishiwata Gaku Ishiwata
Gaku Ishiwata
Gaku Ishiwata
Partner | Managing Partner
Tokyo
Japanese / English
+81-3-5223-7753
+81-3-5223-7753
gaku.ishiwata@morihamada.com
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“He is very knowledgeable and has in-depth experience in anti-hostile takeover transactions.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific
“He really understood our intentions.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific
“Gaku Ishiwata is a first-rate lawyer who is singled out for skilfully advising clients on drafting and negotiating high-value transactions.”
Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
“Gaku Ishiwata garners plaudits as “a top lawyer” who is “frequently active in large-scale M&A transactions”.”
Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal)
Introduction Practices Cases Seminars Related Topics Major Awards Profile
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.
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Related Topics
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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
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