Nihon M&A Center Malaysia

08/07/2026

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌&𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Chia, Ka & Partners PLT 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐲𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲!🎉

Looking back at the past two sessions, one thing stands out for us is that more and more owners are recognising that understanding their business value, and knowing what makes a company M&A-ready, is becoming a core part of long-term strategy planning, whether the goal is succession, growth, or simply just wanted to keep future options open.

And what has really brought all of us together in the same room is a shared belief that good businesses deserve meaningful next chapters. For some, it's about passing on the business. For others, finding the right partner, or unlocking the value built over the years. Either way, these are the decisions worth preparing for, not rushing into.

That is the space we hope to keep holding - a trusted platform where SME owners can explore possibilities for their business future, understand their numbers, and walk away with a little more clarity than they came in with.

A huge thank you to our speakers, Mr. Ryosuke "Rio" Sakamoto, Jason Chan, and Jeremy Chia from CKP for making the session both insightful and engaging. And to everyone who joined us, especially those who travelled in from other cities just to be part of the day, thank you for showing up and being so generous with your questions and stories. It is what makes these sessions meaningful.

Now, we are onwards to the next one! 💪

08/07/2026

Many business owners know that company value is important. And if you ask any of them, most would probably have a number in mind - based on years of their hard work building the business, its revenue, assets, or even what similar companies are value at.

But that number is often just a starting point.

The bigger question is whether it reflects how the market actually sees your business and most importantly, what that number can really do for you.

Because company is not just "another" figure. It is what that shapes the options available to you and your business, whether it is growing the business further, bringing in strategic investors, planning for succession, or even exploring hashtag .

And yet, many SME business owners only start thinking about it when a transaction is already on the table.

In our latest article, we explore what really drives the company value, and how a stronger foundation can put your business in a better position to open up more opportunities, and ultimately lead to better outcomes that align with your overall goals.

How much is your business really worth? Learn what truly drives company value and how it impacts growth, succession planning, and M&A opportunities.

08/07/2026

We were pleased to co-organise a private sharing session titled 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 today with Elegant Management Sdn Bhd.

The session brought together a small group of business owners to explore a question that is often overlooked in day-to-day operations: What is your company truly worth, and how can the value you have built be strengthened and eventually realised?

Led by our team, Mr, Ryosuke "Rio" Sakamoto, Law Sem Liang, and Angela Ng, the sharing connected the fundamentals of company with the broader role of strategic .

Beyond understanding how a company is valued and the factors that drive its value, participants explored how having greater clarity on business value can help them better prepare for and evaluate potential M&A opportunities. Whether the goal is to pursue growth, plan for succession, expand into new markets, or realise long-term value, can be a meaningful strategic consideration within a broader business plan.

It was really encouraging to see the genuine curiosity and thoughtful questions from the room. These are important considerations that many business owners reflect on at different stages of their journey, but may not always have the space or opportunity to explore in depth.

A heartfelt thank you to the Elegant Management team for the trust and collaboration, and to all participants for making the session such an engaging exchange of perspectives.

We look forward to continuing these conversations with more SME business owners in the future. 🤝🏻

08/07/2026

Finally getting around to sharing this! We have been busy connecting with owners and following up on the many conversations sparked at 𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐒 𝐒𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐢𝐳 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, organised by CTOS two weeks back in Kuala Lumpur!

As part of the Funding Pavilion partner, we had the opportunity to meet SME business owners, entrepreneurs, and industry partners throughout the day. From conversations about business growth and expansion plans to succession planning and M&A opportunities, it was inspiring to hear firsthand the ambitions, challenges, and stories behind each business.

One thing that stood out to us is that more business owners are beginning to look beyond their daily operations and think about the bigger picture like how to grow sustainably, how to create long-term value, and find the right path to carry their business forward. We are grateful to have been part of those conversations and to share how can actually be one of the many strategic paths available to help SME owners achieve their business goals.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, shared your experiences, and spent time with us for a conversation. The meaningful discussions and new connections made the event truly worthwhile.

We will also be joining the upcoming CTOS SME Biz Day editions in Penang and Johor, and we would love to meet even more business owners there. Feel free to drop by our booth if you are coming - we are always open to new conversations and would love the chance to connect, whether for the first time or to continue an ongoing one!

See you in Penang and Johor! 👋

08/07/2026

As Malaysia’s machinery sector continues to evolve, a key question for SMEs is becoming more pressing: How do businesses move beyond operational capability to build real, long-term enterprise value?

Last Thursday, our Deputy Director, Mr. Ryosuke "Rio" Sakamoto, was invited as a guest speaker at the 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 & 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 (𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, organised by the Machinery & Engineering Industries Federation (MEIF), held in conjunction with 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇 & 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐗 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

Joining the panel discussion, “𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬”, Rio spoke alongside Professor Patricia Chung from Intangible Assets Commercialisation & Strategy Association (IACSA) on how can better position themselves for sustainable growth.

A key theme that emerged during the conversation was this: Value today goes beyond what is visible on the balance sheet.

Professor Patricia highlighted the growing importance of intangible assets, such as IP, technical know-how, and proprietary capabilities, in strengthening business value. And building on this, Rio shared that should not be viewed purely as an exit, but as a strategic pathway for SMEs to scale beyond their current limitations, whether it is for growth, continuity, and value realisation, especially when aligned with what investors, including Japanese buyers, are looking for.

Value is not created at the point of transaction, in fact, it is built over time. Strong fundamentals, differentiated capabilities, and clear succession readiness are increasingly what set businesses apart.

A huge thank you to for the having us at the summit and for creating a meaningful platform for industry dialogue. We also appreciate the insightful exchange with Professor Patricia and moderator Datin Shelina Razaly Wahi.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting SMEs in building stronger and more future-ready businesses. 🤝

12/05/2026

35 years ago, Nihon M&A Center Inc. was founded with a single philosophy: Assisting companies to continue and prosper through M&A.

That philosophy has never changed since our founding in 1991, and that purpose - to connect hopes and dreams for the best M&A experience in Japan and then the world - has guided us through Japan, Southeast Asia's economic cycles, through thousands of M&A transactions, and it remains unchanged today.

But this year, 2026, is a truly meaningful year for us as a Group. It marks 35 years of Nihon M&A Center Inc. in Japan and the 10th anniversary of our Overseas Division, a decade of bringing this philosophy beyond Japan's borders and across ASEAN. And as we celebrate, we are also stepping into something bigger - a whole new chapter we call the Next Genesis (Second Founding).

Genesis, by definition, means the beginning of something new. And for us, it is not a departure from who we are, it is a deeper commitment to where we are going.

And as we are stepping into our second founding phase, we are building toward a bold new vision:
💪 To revitalize local communities, reshape Japan and beyond, and become the World's No. 1 Holistic M&A Company.

This means expanding our reach, from SMEs, to mid-sized companies, to leading enterprises pursuing global growth. It means strengthening our ASEAN footprint with a long-term eye toward the US and Europe. It means building stronger ecosystems with partners who share our commitment to purposeful M&A.

And it starts from within, with three core values that define how we work:

🤝 Utmost Respect for Our Clients:
A company is where lives intersect. We face every client with absolute sincerity, even when it means difficult conversations, because truly meaningful outcomes demand nothing less.

🎯 Fully Engage:
If you are serious, elevate your actions and thinking to the highest level. When pushed to the extreme, effort compounds, then potential is maximised.

✅ The Right Things, The Right Way:
Without integrity, even strength can spiral out of control. We speak up when something feels wrong. As individuals, as a company, as a member of society, we always strive to do what is right, the right way.

The Next Genesis is more than a new phase for the Group. It is our shared commitment, our promise - to the business owners who trust us, the communities we serve, and the world that the best M&A is one that creates lasting, meaningful value.

Here's to the next chapter. 🌱

12/05/2026

Should I sell, or should I buy? Maybe the better starting point is by asking what kind of future do you want for yourself and your business? And are you actually building towards it?

That's exactly the question we set out to answer in our full-day workshop jointly organised with Chia, Ka & Partners PLT. yesterday. Themed "𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰," we had the pleasure of hosting a group of business owners from a diverse mix of industries to explore what can truly mean for their business, and what it takes to be ready for it.

The day was packed with actionable, practical insights:

📌 Ryosuke Sakamoto-san opened with a deep dive into M&A as a strategic option, covering both sell-side and buy-side perspectives, market and succession trends, deal processes, and valuation methods with industry-specific examples.

📌Jeremy Chia, Managing Partner of CKP walked the participants through financial due diligence, real data-driven valuations, and insights drawn from completed deals in Malaysia, emphasising on why strong financials are the foundation of any successful transaction.

📌Jason Chan wrapped up the day with real case studies completed by our Malaysia team, Nihon M&A Center Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., bringing everything full circle.

One key takeaway echoed clearly across all three sessions is that, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧, 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲, so that when the opportunity comes, you're in the best position to make the right move. And our goal has always been simple - to help SME business owners in this region see that is not something distant or complicated, but a real and strategic option available to them, especially when their financials and numbers are in right order.

What truly made the day special was the level of engagement, participation, and quality of questions from our attendees throughout the day, which was beyond what we expected. In fact, some of the owners even shared that it was by far the most useful and quality workshop they've attended, as it helped them gain a deeper understanding of what M&A is and think about their next steps. 💪

A big thank you to our partner Chia, Ka & Partners PLT. for making this happen together. It's always great to work with a like-minded partner who shares the same vision of helping SME owners navigate their next chapter with the right guidance.

Once again, a huge shoutout to Rio-san, Jeremy, and Jason for delivering such an impactful session. 🤝

This is just the beginning, and we're already looking forward to the next one. (Yes, it's already in the works. So...Stay tuned!)

01/05/2026

If you walked into our office on any given day, you would probably hear us going back and forth about deal structures, valuation methods, EBITDA numbers, managing clients' expectations. That is just how our days go.

It is tough work. Sometimes we face hard conversations. Sometimes we get stuck when both sides just cannot come to an agreement.

But that does not stop us. Because deep down, we know that every transaction we take on is something deeply personal. A business owner who spent decades building something from the ground up. A team that showed up every day to make it work. A family whose livelihood depends on the right decision being made.

The work we do is not just about closing deals, it is about making sure that what someone has spent a lifetime building gets passed on to the right hands. That the legacy continues. That the story does not end here - it evolves.

And that takes more than expertise. It takes heart. It takes the late nights, the back-to-back meetings, the flights across cities and borders. All of these driven by the belief that every SME business owner deserves the best possible outcome.

To our incredible Malaysian team and not forgetting our counterpart offices across Japan and Southeast Asia - we see the effort you put in, day in and day out. Thank you for always going above and beyond - not just to get deals done, but to make sure they are done right. None of this is possible without each one of you. 🤝

Happy Labour Day from all of us at Nihon M&A Center Malaysia. 🧑‍💼👩‍💼

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

29/04/2026

In our previous post, we talked about common deal structures, why structure matters just as much as price in a transaction, and how it shapes control, risk, and payment.

Now that we know the options out there, then the next question should be: 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐 𝑰 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒚?

Because in practice, there is no fixed formula here.

Some SME owners want a clean exit. Others may open to staying on for a few more years. Some buyers want full control immediately, while others prefer to take a phase approach.

Yes - on paper, almost all structures can look workable.

But once you start looking a bit deeper, what seems straightforward and attractive can come with hidden liabilities or unclear responsibilities. What feels flexible can become complicated when it comes to integration, governance, or even decision-making after the deal is done.

And when the deal crosses borders, it gets even more complex. Different regulations. Different expectations. Different ways of doing business. All of which can influence how a deal should be structured.

That's why choosing the right deal structure should not be about following what is common or what works for others in your industry. It is about finding what truly works for both sides - not just to close the deal, but to carry the business forward and realize its full value and synergies.

In our latest article, we explored what business owners should consider before deciding on a deal structure, especially in situations.

Because at the end of the day, getting the deal done is one thing. Making sure it works and delivers what it was meant to is another.

👉 https://nihon-ma.com.my/choosing-the-right-ma-deal-structure/

The right M&A deal structure shapes deal success, especially in cross-border transactions. Explore what SME owners should consider before deciding what works best.

29/04/2026

If someone offered to buy your business tomorrow, would you know which deal structure actually protects you? Or...if you are the one looking to acquire , do you actually know which structure gives you the right level of control without taking on more risk than you need to?

Most business owners walk into conversations focused on one thing - the price. And that makes lots of sense because knowing what a business is worth is a natural starting point.

But...price is just one piece of the whole puzzle.

Think of an M&A deal like building a bridge between two buildings. A good deal is just a lot like a well-built bridge. You need it to be the right size, of course - but more importantly, you need it to be solid enough to carry the weight, and designed in a way that lets both sides cross over smoothly.

Get the price right but the structure wrong, and you might find cracks sooner or later, regardless of how promising the deal is.

And that is where many business owners overlook, whether they are buying or selling.

Share purchase or asset purchase? Full cash upfront or an earn-out tied to future results? Majority control from day one or a minority stake to start? These are decisions that shape how risk is shared, how payment flows, and how both sides move forward long after the deal is closed.

We put together this article to break it all down, covering five common deal structures and three key payment approaches that every SME business owner should know before starting the conversation, whether you are buying, selling, or simply exploring what is possible.

Because the best deals are not always the ones with the highest price or EBITDA numbers. They are the ones built on a structure solid enough for both sides to move forward with clarity and confidence. 🌉🤝

🔗Read the full article - https://nihon-ma.com.my/5-types-of-ma-deal-structures/

Not all M&A deals are won on price alone. Discover the 5 key deal structures every SME business owner should understand before entering a transaction.