It is heartening to see how well the recent state visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan has been receiving in the UK. The Emperor himself has made a number of heartfelt and personal comments of gratitude for and appreciation of the warm welcome that they have been given. Is it too simplistic to expect this visit to have a positive impact on M&A activity between Japanese and British companies? There are a few ways in which the visit might influence the M&A market:
1. Increased confidence and stability: High-level diplomatic engagements (by Heads of States, for example) often enhance the perception of stability and mutual trust between countries. This can lead to increased confidence among investors and companies considering cross-border M&A deals, as they perceive lower political and economic risks.
2. Changes to government support and policies: Such visits may result in strengthened government-to-government relationships, leading to favourable policies and support for cross-border investments. These could include incentives for Japanese companies to invest in the UK and vice versa, making M&A deals more attractive. (There are no immediate signs of such change as yet.)
3. Spotlight on strategic sectors: The state visit may highlight sectors of interest for both countries, such as technology, healthcare, automotive and green energy. Companies in these industries may find increased opportunities for strategic acquisitions and partnerships, encouraged by the positive diplomatic backdrop.
4. Spotlight on success stories: State visits often showcase successful business collaborations and M&A deals. Highlighting these precedents could inspire other companies to pursue similar opportunities, knowing that there is a precedent for successful cross-border M&A deals between Japan and the UK.
5. Networking and dialogue: Receptions and other events held in honour of the Imperial couple provided a forum for executives from both countries to meet and discuss potential collaborations, possibly laying the groundwork for future M&A deals by fostering relationships and identifying mutual interests.
6. Enhanced cultural understanding: Improved cultural and diplomatic ties can lead to a better understanding of each other’s business environments and practices. Such cultural alignment can lower barriers to M&A activities, as companies feel more comfortable navigating the cross-border landscape.
7. Access to new markets and technologies: M&A transactions are often aimed at gaining access to new markets, technologies and talent. The state visit can underscore the complementary strengths of Japanese and UK companies, encouraging them to pursue M&A as a strategy to leverage these strengths.
8. Changes to regulatory environment: High-level diplomatic visits can lead to discussions on harmonising regulatory frameworks and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for mergers and acquisitions. This can make the process smoother and more predictable for companies considering cross-border deals.
The state visit may well encourage increased deal activity between companies from Japan and the UK by boosting confidence, highlighting strategic sectors, facilitating networking and potentially leading to supportive policies. Crimson Phoenix are experts in advising clients on Japan-related cross-border M&A transactions. From offices in Tokyo and London (in addition to Frankfurt), we are very well placed to assist clients in originating, developing and executing such deals.