Hiroyuki Kano
Clayton Utz
Hiroyuki frequently advises Japanese clients on a wide range of corporate transactions. Clients benefit from his ability to practise in both Australia and Japan, thanks to his dual qualification. The only partner of a major Australian law firm who is qualified bengoshi (Japanese lawyer), Hiroyuki has been practising law in Australia for over 20 years in M&A transactions, bridging the gap between Australian law and Japanese law, representing a variety of Japanese corporations on their cross-border transactions and investment into Australia.
Hiroyuki heads our Japan practice. For further details about our Japan Practice, please refer to this link.
Digital Entertainment: We acted for a Japanese digital entertainment company on its proposed acquisition of an ASX-listed company engaged in betting and other activities in Australia and elsewhere, including through a scheme of arrangement and a takeover bid to make it a subsidiary.
IT services and development: We acted for a Japanese IT services and development company on its acquisition of an ASX-listed Australian IT services company by way of scheme of arrangement.
Transport/logistics: We acted for a Japanese Government owned company on its acquisition of an ASX-listed large logistics company by way of scheme of arrangement.
Energy: We advised on demonstration projects supported by the Japanese and Australian governments for the development of a hydrogen supply chain, and on projects aimed at commercialising liquefied hydrogen.
Rare Earths: We advised on investments into, and the supply of rare earths from, an ASX‑listed company producing rare earths and other resources in Western Australia.
Real Estate Development: We acted for a major Japanese real estate developer on its acquisition of an interest in a luxury residential development project in Barangaroo on Sydney’s waterfront, and on the formation of a joint venture with a local developer.
Aquaculture: We acted for a listed Japanese seafood company on its investment into an ASX-listed prawn farm operator.
Construction machinery: We acted for a Japanese construction machinery manufacturer on its acquisitions of multiple companies, including a nationwide construction machinery distribution network, and on the subsequent restructuring of its Australian subsidiary.
Industrial gas: We acted for a major Japanese industrial gas company on its acquisitions of multiple Australian industrial gas distributors, including LPG businesses.
Homebuilding: We acted for a major Japanese homebuilder on its acquisition of a controlling interest in, and formation of, a joint venture arrangement in respect of a group of large homebuilding companies having operations across Australia.
Software developer: We acted for a Japanese software developer on its acquisition of a Melbourne-based business intelligence (BI) solutions provider in Australia.
Engineering: We acted for a well-known Japanese industrial and engineering corporation on its acquisition of a cross-border company within the desalination and industrial water treatment industry.
Bank: We acted for a Japanese bank on its investment in a major non-bank consumer lender based in Australia.
Life insurance: We acted for a Japanese life insurance company on its acquisition of an Australian life insurance and wealth management company.
Industrial gases and plastics manufacturer: We acted for a Japanese industrial gases and plastics manufacturer on its acquisition of an Australian industrial gases and LPG company.
Staffing Services: We acted for a Japanese staffing services company on its acquisitions of multiple Australian staffing companies.
Hospitality and property management: We acted for a Japanese hospitality and property management company on its acquisition of a group managing serviced apartments in Australia and New Zealand.
Real Estate Development: We acted for Japanese real estate developers on their acquisitions of hotels and resorts in Australia.
Manufacturing: We acted for a Japanese car manufacturer on the incorporation of its local subsidiary and set up of its car dealership network in Australia.
Retail: We acted for a listed Japanese retail company on setting up operations in Australia. We also acted for a Japanese retail company on its proposed acquisition of an Australian retail business.
Water: We acted for a Japanese Government-affiliated company in relation to a Japanese consortium acquiring a major Australian water utility company and its affiliated companies.
Agriculture: We acted for a listed Japanese food business on its bid to acquire food and agricultural businesses under receivership in Australia.
Seafood business: We acted for a Japanese food product wholesaler on its acquisition of a seafood wholesale business in Queensland.
Education: We acted for a Japanese childcare and education provider on the acquisition of an Australian childcare business and the post-acquisition management.