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Photo, Akihiro Kawasaki

Akihiro Kawasaki

Partner
Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)

Biography

Akihiro Kawasaki is a member of the Firm's Tax / Transfer Pricing Group in Tokyo. He has a wide range of experience — including in Hong Kong IPOs, cryptocurrency issues and tax audits — and is particularly proficient in tax consulting involving complex reorganization-related tax concepts and anti-Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules. Prior to joining the Firm, he worked for a major Japanese tax consulting firm for 13 years, including a four-year assignment in Shanghai.

Practice Focus

Akihiro's practice focuses on cross-border tax planning for foreign multinational corporations (MNCs), including the development of tax-efficient capital structures to reduce clients’ effective tax rates.

Representative Legal Matters

  • Advised numerous Japanese listed companies on Japanese anti-CFC rules related to outbound investment and overseas restructuring.

  • Advised various Japanese/foreign companies on cross-border triangular structuring.

  • Advised numerous Japanese companies on investments in US- and/or Europe-based real estate investment funds.

  • Advised various Japanese alternative funds / foreign PE funds on tax structuring.

  • Advised numerous Japanese listed companies on Japan-China cross-border restructuring.

  • Represented numerous subsidiaries of foreign MNCs in Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau tax examinations (e.g., with regard to permanent establishment, Japanese Consumption Tax (JCT) and CFC rules, etc.)

  • Advised a Japanese listed company on the de-SPAC listing of its Israeli subsidiary on NASDAQ.

  • Advised numerous foreign MNCs, including US SEC-listed companies, on domestic reorganization.

  • Advised numerous foreign digital platform operators on JCT matters.

  • Advised numerous foreign MNCs on setting up Japanese subsidiaries / formation of JVs.

  • Advised a foreign MNC on tax structuring in connection with its investment in renewable energy facilities.

  • Advised foreign companies on obtaining determinations by the National Tax Agency with regard to tax treaties.

  • Advised Japanese companies on their stock listings in Hong Kong.

  • Advised Japanese companies on virtual currency issues.

Admissions

  • Licensed Tax Attorney (Zeirishi)~Japan (2016)

Education

  • The University of Tokyo (Bachelor of Economics) (2006)

Languages

  • Japanese
  • English
  • Mandarin

Publications

  • Co-author, "Supply Chain and Legal Practice," Keiso Shobo, February 2026, Language: Japanese
  • Co-author, "Japan’s Corporate Tax Measures in Response to COVID-19," Daily Tax Report: International, Bloomberg Tax, October 2020, Language: English
“Partner” as referred to in this material represents a senior-level professional who would be responsible for case management in each practice area, and does not mean profit-sharing members of the partnership.