What we do
We act as an intermediary between sellers and buyers throughout the M&A process: strategy and decision support, target search and matching, negotiation support, due diligence coordination, and execution through to closing. From the LOI stage onward we help both parties frame post-merger integration (PMI) issues, and we provide follow-up support in the initial phase after closing.
Our edge is cross-border work between Japan and Southeast Asia — Singapore and Thailand in particular. We source and propose counterparties based on strategic fit: market entry, distribution channels, technology, and supply-chain synergies rather than financial engineering alone.
Typical mandates include Japanese companies acquiring or partnering with Southeast Asian businesses, overseas companies seeking acquisitions or partners in Japan, and succession-driven sales of Japanese SMEs to strategic buyers.
Fees
Our standard intermediary fee structure is transparent and explained in writing before any engagement is signed.
| Item | Amount / Rate | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Retainer | Free in principle For cross-border mandates requiring substantial initial research, up to JPY 1,000,000 by individual quotation. | On signing |
| Interim fee | 10% of the success fee (credited against it) | On LOI / MOU |
| Success fee | Lehman scale on total transferred assets (consideration plus assumed debt): 5% up to JPY 500M; 4% on the portion up to JPY 1bn; 3% up to JPY 5bn; 2% up to JPY 10bn; 1% above | At closing |
| Minimum fee | JPY 5,000,000 | Included in success fee |
All amounts exclude consumption tax. Out-of-pocket costs for cross-border mandates (local research, interpretation, translation) are quoted and approved in advance.
Compliance
ARKS LLC has declared its compliance with the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency's "Small and Medium-Sized M&A Guidelines (3rd Edition)", the Japanese government's code of conduct for M&A intermediaries and financial advisers. The full declaration (in Japanese) and the itemized compliance checklist are available here.
Company profile
| Company | ARKS LLC（ＡＲＫＳ合同会社） |
|---|---|
| Corporate No. | 8010403030081 (Japan) |
| Address | R-Cube Aoyama 3F, 1-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan |
| Representative | Shigeki Sugiura, Representative Member |
| Established | May 2023 |
| Business | M&A intermediary services, business matching, management consulting, investment |
| Contact | arksllc3@gmail.com |
Contact
If you are considering acquiring, selling, or partnering with a business in Japan or Southeast Asia, we would be glad to hear from you. All inquiries are handled in strict confidence, in English or Japanese.