Alvarez & Marsal has launched in Japan, opening offices in Tokyo and Osaka. The move reflects the growing demand for consultancies that blend global reach with local expertise and freedom from audit conflicts – amid a time of key change in Japan’s own consulting space.
Founded in 1983, Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a global professional services firm, which helps corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies drive transformation, mitigate risk and unlock value. In recent years, the firm’s EMEA-wide corporate finance team in particular has come in for accelerated demand.
The firm has been committed to a period of international expansion in 2025. Earlier in the year, it launched in Ireland – and now, A&M has arrived in Japan, too.
Paul Aversano, managing director and global practice leader of A&M’s Global Transaction Advisory Group (TAG), who provides oversight of A&M’s operations in Japan, stated, “With the recalibration happening in the Japanese consulting industry – the shift has crystalised the opportunity for a challenger, differentiated model like A&M’s to formalize a presence in this market and better meet client needs – both for Japanese multinationals seeking top local expertise with the backing of the A&M global network, as well as global enterprises that are active in the market.”
Kicking off its time in the land of the rising sun, A&M has recruited six managing directors and eight staff from major competitors. As it launches in the country, this marks a significant expansion across Asia’s financial hubs – bringing local and cross-border expertise in transactions, tax and corporate finance to its founding team.
New hires
Joining A&M Japan in its opening stage is Daisaku Nonaka, who serves as managing director and Japan leader for Global TAG, based in Tokyo. Most recently a partner with Deloitte Japan and head of its private equity unit, Nonaka brings two decades of transaction-related experience advising private equity and strategic buyers in the Japanese market.
Serving alongside him in Tokyo is managing director Teppei Matsuda, also previously a partner of Deloitte Japan, with additional support staff based in Tokyo and Osaka who join A&M from former roles with Deloitte Japan and PwC Japan, respectively.
As the Japanese business corridor evolves and expands for both locally based multinationals and global companies, the need for tax advisory continues to rise. To help meet this demand, joining to lead A&M’s tax practice in-country is managing director Ichiro Suto, formerly a partner with EY Japan and recognised luminary in the field with over 30 years’ experience in international tax advisory with specialty in financial services. Based in Tokyo, Suto will lead a team of local tax experts, joining a growing network of A&M tax professionals across the Asia-Pacific region.
The in-country build will be further supported by fellow managing director Yoshiaki Uno, also formerly of EY Japan, and managing director Koichi Hattori, a former partner with Deloitte Japan, who will also serve as head of transaction tax services for A&M Japan.
Finally, market leader Takeshi Kon joins A&M Japan as managing director of its corporate finance practice; previously of Deloitte Japan, Kon is a 25-year veteran of Nomura Securities, with additional prior roles held at EY Japan and IR Japan.
Daisaku Nonaka, added, “A&M’s global network of experts fortifies our ambition to build a strong, sustainable business that reflects international best practices and Japanese market expertise. With extensive industry knowledge across multiple sectors, a legacy of operational excellence, and senior-led client engagement teams – we ensure the delivery of customised solutions that generate value. By embedding A&M’s global culture while building local depth, we aim to become the trusted advisor of choice for Japanese corporates, private equity and multinationals.”
AloJapan.com