Japanese M&A in 2026: Market Momentum Driven by Governance Reform

In a recent Financier Worldwide Q&A, Dominic Henderson, Managing Director at Sodali & Co, shared his perspective on the continued strength of Japan’s M&A market heading into 2026. According to Dominic, M&A activity has grown strongly in both value and volume, underpinned by regulatory pressure and an increasing emphasis on capital efficiency.

He highlights the impact of guidance from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s focus on cost of capital disclosure, which are encouraging corporates to divest non‑core assets, simplify group structures and pursue fair, transparent transaction processes. These shifts are also creating greater opportunities for activist investors and private equity participation in the Japanese market.

Dominic’s insights form part of Financier Worldwide’s broader analysis of global M&A trends shaping 2026. Discover the full report.