Kana Morimura is a partner in the Litigation practice of the Tokyo Office.

Kana’s practice comprises dispute matters, with a particular focus on advising clients on matter related to dispute resolution, investigation, anti-corruption, antitrust and compliance. Kana has represented a number of corporate and individual clients, especially Japanese corporations and Japanese executives.  She has worked in both the Tokyo office and the New York office.  She worked as a Japanese licensed lawyer at law firms in Tokyo prior to joining Shearman & Sterling in 2011. Kana’s practice also comprises capital markets, M&A and joint venture matters.

• One of the major Japanese companies and its affiliates in a potential FCPA violation matter and internal investigation
• One of the major Japanese companies and its Japanese subsidiary in an employment litigation matter in the U.S.
• A Japanese medical equipment manufacturer on quality management issues before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice
• Japanese manufacturers in their internal investigations and potential government proceedings and litigation in connection with issues related to product inspection data
• Numerous Japan-based manufacturers and financial institutions on compliance issues, including antitrust, anti-corruption, litigation and product quality management
• Numerous Japan-based manufacturers in antitrust-related putative class actions and other civil disputes
• Numerous Japan-based manufacturers on merger clearance issues
• Japan-based manufacturers and financial institutions in various non-public cartel investigations and the follow-on federal class action lawsuits
• Executives of Japan-based corporations in non-public cartel investigations
• Japan Bank for International Cooperation in connection with various compliance-related matters.
• Japan-based manufacturers and financial institutions on compliance issues, including antitrust and disclosure matters
• Establishment of ADR programs for Japanese corporations
• Maeda Corporation involving the filing of a Form CB in connection with its $3.3 billion joint share transfer with Maeda Road Construction and Maeda Seisakusho to establish a joint holding company
• Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. regarding a registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Form F-4 in connection with the sole share transfer to establish Sawai Group Holdings Co., Ltd. as a holding company
• Japan Exchange Group, Inc. in a $48.4 million tender offer for shares of common stock and non-voting stock of Tokyo Commodity Exchange, Inc.
• Sompo Holdings, Inc. in its $6.3 billion acquisition of Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.
• Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. and Showa Shell Sekiyu K.K., both Japanese petroleum companies, in connection with their $5.8 billion merger involving filings with the SEC
• The Joyo Bank, Ltd. and Ashikaga Holdings Co., Ltd., both Japanese regional banks, in connection with a $5.3 billion business integration involving filings with the SEC
• Yamaha Corporation in its acquisition of Line 6, Inc.
• Japanese corporations in antitrust analysis in connection with their potential merger deals

Awards & Accolades

• Recognized as a "Rising Star Partner" for Capital Markets – Equity in Japan by IFLR1000 (2024)
• Recognized as a Next Generation Partner for Antitrust and Competition by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2024)

Publications

• “Practical Measures for Cartel Cases under US Jurisdiction – From the Perspective of Protecting Companies and Individuals” Shoji Homu, June 2014
• Co-Author, “Practical Filing of Form F-4 with the SEC—Guide for Filing of Form F-4 and Responding to Staff Comments” Keiri Joho, January 2012
• Co-Author, “US Corporate Law” Yuhikaku, October 2009
• Co-Author, “Reform of the Rules Governing Working Arrangements between Japanese and Foreign Lawyers” Legal Week, December 2004