Mikiya Takasu: “Only Thinking About Money” – Fund Acquisitions Lead to Rampant Rip

News Highlights

Dr. Mikiya Takasu of Takasu Clinic points out that after cosmetic surgery clinics are acquired by funds, these funds, “only thinking about money,” engage in “rip-off” practices detrimental to patients. He severely criticizes the reality of unnecessary procedures being recommended and excessive advertising running rampant. This issue can be seen as casting a stone into the pond of business succession and management practices in medical institution M&A, particularly in the field of cosmetic surgery.

M&A Medical Editorial Department’s Perspective

Dr. Takasu’s scathing criticism that funds are “only thinking about money” highlights the negative aspects brought about by fund-led M&A in the cosmetic surgery industry. Their primary objective is short-term profit maximization, often relegating patient quality of life improvement and long-term trust-building to a secondary concern. This tendency is particularly pronounced in cosmetic surgery, which primarily involves high-cost elective procedures. It is presumed that acquired clinics are often forced to operate in accordance with the fund’s intentions, leading to distress due to divergence from their original medical philosophy. This news strongly suggests that medical institution managers, especially those struggling with succession issues, must deeply assess not just the “sale price” but also the acquiring party’s “medical philosophy,” corporate culture, and management principles when considering M&A. It is essential to view M&A not merely as a means for immediate fundraising or business succession, but from the perspective of how to realize one’s own clinic’s philosophy and contribution to patients in the future.

Points Raised by This News

• The reality of “rip-off” practices in the cosmetic surgery sector following fund acquisitions and the risk of declining medical quality.
• The possibility that funds’ pursuit of short-term profits may damage the long-term reputation and patient satisfaction of medical institutions.
• The significant impact of the acquiring party’s “medical philosophy” and “corporate culture” on the management of a clinic after business succession.
• The importance of due diligence in cosmetic surgery M&A, focusing not only on financial aspects but also on confirming management philosophy and patient-centric approaches.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• What specific “rip-off” practices are occurring in cosmetic surgery clinics acquired by funds?
• Is it possible to maintain one’s management philosophy and patient service levels if one’s own clinic is acquired by a fund?
• Could similar “declines in medical quality” due to funds occur in medical fields other than cosmetic surgery?

If You Feel “Should I Consult Too?”

If you are a manager of a cosmetic surgery clinic struggling with succession issues or future management strategies, this news is important for understanding the “light and shadow” of M&A. It is necessary to deeply assess, together with experts, not just the sale price or ease of succession, but also what medical philosophy the acquiring party holds and what their stance is towards patients. If you wish to protect your clinic’s philosophy and contribution to patients in the future, we recommend consulting with an expert well-versed in medical M&A.

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.) supports the business succession of medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics as a business succession support institution certified by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, with a complete success fee system. Consultations are kept strictly confidential. Free consultation here