[Speaking Announcement] Shozo Ota of Nihon Keiei to Speak at Kochi Medical Management Society Luncheon Seminar – RBB TODAY

It has been announced that Shozo Ota of Nihon Keiei will speak at the Kochi Medical Management Society’s luncheon seminar on June 19, 2026. This presentation will provide specific insights into the effectiveness of M&A, including third-party succession, as an alternative to closure or discontinuation for medical institutions in Kochi Prefecture facing successor issues and business succession challenges. It will also highlight the importance of early consideration, with chairpersons and clinic directors preparing 5 to 10 years in advance from around age 60, and the value of utilizing specialized advisors focused on the healthcare industry. The role of M&A in ensuring the sustainability of regional healthcare is drawing attention.

The Urgency of Regional Healthcare Succession Addressed by the Kochi Medical Management Society

Kochi Prefecture has one of the highest aging rates nationwide, coupled with a severe maldistribution of physicians and a shortage of successors for medical institutions. Particularly in mountainous and intermediate areas, the closure or discontinuation of clinics and hospitals directly impacts local residents’ access to medical care, making business succession for medical institutions an urgent issue. The Kochi Medical Management Society’s decision to feature M&A and business succession for medical institutions at its luncheon seminar is presumed to be a clear indication of its strong sense of crisis regarding the sustainability of regional healthcare and its proactive search for concrete solutions.

The participation of an expert like Shozo Ota of Nihon Keiei, who is well-versed in the practical aspects of M&A for medical institutions, will be a valuable opportunity for chairpersons of medical corporations and clinic directors in Kochi Prefecture to explore the possibility of continuing regional healthcare through third-party succession before considering closure. As the regional healthcare vision progresses, the reorganization and integration of medical institutions have become a nationwide trend, and Kochi Prefecture is no exception.

Long-Term Perspective from Around Age 60: Preparation Period for Successful M&A

As highlighted in the news summary, “chairpersons and clinic directors preparing 5 to 10 years in advance from around age 60,” early preparation is crucial for successful M&A in medical institutions. Medical corporations, in particular, differ from stock companies and require more time for procedures due to their unique characteristics.

• Valuation of Equity Interests and Shareholder Meeting Consent: For medical corporations with equity interests, complex processes are required, including equity valuation, obtaining consent from all members (investors), and considering a transition to a non-equity (fund contribution) model.
• Administrative Procedures and Approvals: Obtaining prefectural governor’s approval or notification for the succession of a medical corporation’s establishment permit or changes to a clinic’s establishment permit typically takes several months. Furthermore, whether facility standards for medical fees can be maintained directly impacts the buyer’s management decision and must be included in the succession plan.
• Tax Strategy: When considering installment transfers across multiple tax years as a measure against capital gains tax, a long-term perspective is essential for planned execution.
• Buyer Search and Due Diligence: From searching for optimal buyer candidates to conducting legal, financial, labor, and medical legal due diligence, negotiation, and contract signing, this process generally takes six months to over a year.

Considering these factors, exploring M&A possibilities 5 to 10 years before a chairperson or clinic director plans to retire is a highly realistic and strategic approach to ensure a smooth succession and secure the best terms for both seller and buyer.

Specific Examples of Utilizing Medical M&A Specialist Advisors

M&A for medical institutions requires a deep understanding of specialized laws such as the Medical Care Act, Medical Practitioners’ Act, and Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, in addition to the medical fee system, regional healthcare vision, and the unique organizational structure of medical corporations (e.g., board of directors, general meeting of members, fund system). It is distinct from mere business succession or corporate sales.

Specialized advisors focused on the medical industry comprehensively grasp these complex legal and institutional aspects and provide specific support such as the following:

• Proposal of Optimal M&A Schemes: We formulate the most suitable scheme according to the seller’s and buyer’s situations, such as equity transfer for medical corporations with equity interests, business transfer, or transition to a fund-contributing medical corporation and third-party succession.
• Valuation of Medical Corporations: We conduct a fair corporate valuation of medical corporations with unique asset compositions and revenue structures.
• Matching and Negotiation Support: Based on the characteristics and regional context (Kochi Prefecture) of the medical institution, we search for optimal buyer candidates and support negotiations to maximize the interests of both seller and buyer.
• Due Diligence Support: We support the due diligence process from a specialized perspective, including risk assessment related to medical legal affairs and facility standards.
• Administrative Procedures and Closing: We provide consistent support for complex practical matters up to M&A closing, such as applications for permits and approvals to the prefectural government, procedures for changing members and directors, and drafting various contracts.

This specialized support is essential for seller chairpersons and clinic directors to proceed with the succession process with peace of mind while focusing on their primary duties. We hope that this presentation at the Kochi Medical Management Society will serve as an opportunity for regional healthcare stakeholders to re-recognize the importance of utilizing specialists.

If you are specifically considering the succession or M&A of a medical corporation or clinic, please use our free quick assessment or individual consultation (strict confidentiality and entirely success-fee based).