Interview: Malaysia-Japan M&A: Exit Avenues for SMEs & MTCs?

Malaysia’s ties with Japan have long shaped its industrial growth, but is new momentum emerging through M&A deals, cross-border investments, and strategic partnerships into Malaysia’s SMEs and MTCs?

From local succession challenges and IPO deadends to industrial reorganisations and the rise of halal products, in this episode of Enterprise Explores, we unpack Malaysia’s evolving role as an attractive destination for Japanese capital with Yusuke Ojima, Regional Head for Southeast Asia at Nihon M&A Center—an advisory firm that bridges Japanese and Malaysian businesses.

We also examine Malaysia’s language advantage, transparent financial systems, and ASEAN market reach, all of which make the country an ideal springboard for regional growth.

Whether you’re tackling succession planning, seeking potential buyers, or exploring expansion across Asia, discover how IPOs vs. M&A trends influence local business exits, why client diversification is vital for long-term stability, and how future shifts in EV and hydrogen technologies could spark new cross-border collaborations.

Click HERE to listen to the full conversation between Yusuke Ojima, Regional Head for Southeast Asia, Nihon M&A Center, and Roshan Kanesan, Presenter & Producer at BFM89.9