“Futile…” Dr. Yasuhiro Nezu (83) to Retire; Continues to Raise Issues on Assisted Reproductive Technology Including “Surrogacy,” But Discussion Stalls; “Suwa Maternity Clinic” to Close Infertility Outpatient Services in March 2027

News Highlights

Dr. Yasuhiro Nezu (83), director of Suwa Maternity Clinic, announced that he will close the infertility outpatient services in March 2027 and retire, feeling “futile” due to the lack of progress in discussions regarding issues in assisted reproductive technology, such as surrogacy. Dr. Nezu’s retirement, after many years of questioning the state of assisted reproductive technology, suggests challenges within a specific field of the medical industry and the associated difficulties in business succession.

M&A Medical Editorial Perspective

The retirement of the 83-year-old director and the subsequent closure of Suwa Maternity Clinic’s infertility outpatient services are not merely a matter of an elderly director retiring. The fact that Dr. Nezu has long raised issues regarding assisted reproductive technology, particularly advanced and ethical challenges like surrogacy, yet societal discussions have not progressed sufficiently, highlights the difficulty of “knowledge transfer” within the medical field, and further, how challenging it is to continue a business that utilizes such knowledge. Especially in the field of assisted reproductive technology, which demands high levels of expertise and ethical judgment, it is anticipated that fostering successors and establishing a system will require considerable time and effort. This case underscores the complexity of “business succession,” encompassing not only the director’s business acumen but also how the clinic confronts the social and ethical issues inherent to its specialty.

Points Raised by This News

• The stagnation of discussions on the ethical and social issues of assisted reproductive technology, which Dr. Nezu has long raised, may have contributed to the decision to cease business operations.
• The difficulty in fostering successors and achieving business succession in the field of assisted reproductive technology, which requires advanced expertise and ethical judgment.
• The announcement of retirement at the age of 83 suggests the importance of preparing for succession in both “management” and “clinical practice” within medical institutions.
• For medical institutions facing similar challenges, it is necessary to consider options such as third-party succession or business restructuring before reaching the decision to close.

Practical Questions Arising from This News

• How should the specialized knowledge and treatment philosophy cultivated over many years be passed on to successors?
• What strategies are there for continuing business operations in fields like assisted reproductive technology, where ethical and social discussions are divided?
• If considering business transfer to a third party rather than closing the clinic, what procedures and preparations are necessary?

If You Feel “I Should Consult Too?”

For directors of medical institutions like Suwa Maternity Clinic, who have continued practice in a specialized field for many years and face unique challenges within that field, we recommend consulting with experts regarding your retirement timing and the future of your business. Particularly if you are concerned about the lack of successors or continuing practice in a field where societal discussions have not sufficiently progressed, starting to consider options such as third-party succession or business restructuring early on is the first step to avoiding the worst-case scenario of closure.

M&A Medical (CentralMedience Inc.) supports the succession of medical corporations, hospitals, and clinics on a full success fee basis as an M&A support institution certified by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency. Consultations are accepted with strict confidentiality. Free consultations are available here.