With over two decades of experience, KNM & Partners has been a trusted legal advisor to Japanese businesses investing and operating in India. As India continues to be a preferred destination for Japanese investment – supported by robust bilateral relations, economic growth, and expanding industrial corridors – the Firm offers dedicated legal services tailored to the specific needs of Japanese corporations, investors, and trading houses.
The Firm has advised more than 100 Japanese companies across sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, automotive, electronics, logistics, healthcare, fintech, and renewable energy. The Firm’s approach integrates legal precision with cultural awareness – helping Japanese enterprises navigate India’s complex legal and regulatory frameworks while ensuring their business strategies are commercially viable and risk-mitigated.
The Firm combines strengths in corporate law, disputes, banking & finance, taxation, regulatory compliance, employment law, and cross-border transactions to deliver holistic, business-focused legal solutions. The Firm works closely with Matsuda & Partners, a leading Japanese law firm, and serves as the official India Desk for Aichi Prefecture, providing on-the-ground legal support and regular consultations to Japanese companies across India. The Firm also actively collaborates with JETRO India and other Indo-Japanese business forums – supporting Japanese clients through regulatory consultations, workshops, and legal briefings.
The Firm’s deep understanding of Japanese corporate culture and governance protocols allows us to bridge gaps between Japanese business objectives and Indian legal realities, ensuring sustainable, long-term business operations for the Firm’s Japanese clients in India.
Competencies
- Advising on optimal entry models such as liaison offices, project offices, wholly owned subsidiaries, and joint ventures.
- Supporting company incorporation, land procurement through state-sponsored industrial corridors, and operational infrastructure set-up.
- Assisting in vendor engagement, contract negotiations, and legal review of service provider arrangements.
- Facilitating licensing, environmental clearances, and registrations with Indian authorities including the Pollution Control Board and Directorate of Industries.
- Advising on compliance with India’s foreign investment regulations, including securities issuance, capital transfers, and regulatory filings.
- Ongoing compliance support covering employment, ESG, industry-specific norms, and taxation.
- Conducting legal due diligence on Indian target companies, land, and infrastructure projects.
- Drafting and negotiating cross-border M&A, joint venture, and investment agreements with sensitivity to Japanese corporate standards.
- Advising on restructuring, group reorganisation, and shareholder alignment for global Japanese entities.
- Advising on long-term business consolidation, strategic fundraising, and succession planning for Japanese businesses in India.
- Supporting exit strategies including operational wind-downs, mergers, and asset divestments in compliance with Indian and international regulations.
- Providing dispute resolution services, regulatory audits, and ongoing legal counsel to ensure operational continuity and governance alignment.