New-Domain Entry and JV Establishment Across Japan, the U.S., and Europe

[Engagement Scope]
For new-domain entry and JV establishment across Japan, the U.S., and Europe, we led the work end-to-end — from building internal and external alignment through to negotiations and structural design.

• Establishing internal agreement: Navigating complex internal dynamics and leading enterprise-wide alignment.
• Partner selection: Long-listing and short-listing North American and European partners, and conducting on-site due diligence.
• Negotiation support: Leading acquisition and partnership negotiations and supporting deal closing.

[Challenges]

• Alignment was difficult given the complex organizational dynamics between overseas entities and the Japan entity.
• While English-language coordination was essential, the internal alignment characteristic of Japanese companies was also required.
• Sourcing genuinely actionable partner candidates that could not be found through web search alone.
• Risk of insufficient manufacturing capacity at candidate companies and counteroffers from competitors.

[Results]

• Rapid alignment: Coordination by bilingual talent compressed alignment that typically takes three months down to 1.5 months.
• Proprietary-route sourcing: Leveraging an industry-expert network (an actual human network), we conducted direct outreach to CEOs and CFOs and on-site due diligence at five short-listed manufacturing facilities.
• Successful negotiation: Acting as the "diplomat" in negotiation meetings, we arranged top-to-top dialogue. We secured exclusivity and reached signing with alignment on price, governance, and the integration plan.