Record $350 Billion Deals Boom Fuels Upbeat M&A Outlook in Japan

It’s been a record year for deals involving Japanese companies, with transaction volume approaching $350 billion as December draws to a close. And next year is poised to be even busier.

Corporate governance reforms aimed at improving shareholder returns are helping to transform Japan into a hive of activity — the days when it was seen as a slow market with an occasional megadeal thrown in are disappearing fast.

“Dealmaking in Japan is incredibly busy,” said Chris Laskowski, head of Asia investment banking at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. “I spend a lot more time talking to our colleagues ...