BATONZ Hosts 'M&A Future Conference 2026 by BATONZ'

BATONZ Inc. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yuichi Kanzeki; hereinafter 'BATONZ'), operator of the M&A and business succession support platform 'BATONZ (Batonz),' hosted the 'M&A Future Conference 2026 by BATONZ' on June 11, 2026, gathering M&A specialists and buyer executives.

Panel Discussion

The highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled 'Frontline Perspectives on the Present and Future of M&A,' featuring Takao Ozawa from BoostCapital and Jo Hirao from Jigen, who shared real-world experiences and insights. Yosuke Asakura from Animal Spirits served as moderator.

- Theme 1: The Turning Point Between Successful and Failed M&A

Mr. Ozawa shared his experience with large-scale M&A deals and how his company selects transactions with expected synergies. Mr. Hirao explained his unique 'acquisition criteria' and Jigen's PMI best practices, drawn from acquiring over 30 companies.

- Theme 2: The Importance and Future Utility of M&A Strategy in Corporate Management

The panel discussed how M&A strategies, including roll-ups, will be positioned in future corporate management. They provided practical insights on 'which companies should pursue M&A now' and 'the first step in adopting M&A as a corporate strategy.'

- Theme 3: The Future of the M&A Industry and Expectations for Specialists

With the advancement of AI and the growing recognition of M&A as a strategic option for executives, the panel explored the essential role and value of M&A specialists. They envisioned a future industry where platforms and specialists coexist and co-create.

- Q&A Session

Both panelists candidly answered real challenges faced by M&A specialists and buyers. They concluded with messages expressing hopes for the development of the M&A industry and the future of this conference.

- Panelists

- Takao Ozawa: Representative Director, BoostCapital

- Jo Hirao: President & CEO, Jigen Co., Ltd.

- Yosuke Asakura: Representative Partner, Animal Spirits LLC (Moderator)

M&A Professional Award by BATONZ

Japan's largest awards ceremony honoring professionals who supported the most outstanding M&A deals among approximately 2,000 M&A specialists, and buyer companies or individuals who opened new futures among BATONZ's approximately 300,000 buyer members. This year, six awards were presented across four categories for specialists and two for buyers, with winners selected through rigorous review. At the ceremony, each awardee took the stage to share the background, efforts, and new value created through their deals.

- Categories and Awardees

[M&A Specialists]

- Deal Volume Award: Honors specialists who supported an exceptional number of deals annually

Takashi Miyagi, Hills Town Co., Ltd.

- Deal Value Award: Honors specialists who supported the largest-scale deals annually

Gaku Iwashita, S&G Co., Ltd.

- Startup M&A Award: Recognizes contributions to corporate growth by promoting growth-type M&A, such as startup exits

Takayuki Yanagi, Business Succession Tsushinsha Co., Ltd.

- Succession-Type M&A Award: Honors deep contributions to resolving succession issues and sustaining regional economies

Tsunayoshi Kato, Fornledge Co., Ltd.

[Buyers]

- Entrepreneurial M&A Award: Recognizes individuals who started businesses through M&A and pursued challenges through PMI

Bunshiro Kurata

- Growth-Strategy M&A Award: Honors corporations that positioned M&A as a pillar of growth strategy and enhanced corporate value through PMI

Mid Holdings Co., Ltd.

- Judges

- Hokuto Iwasaki: Representative Director, Agaruto Inc.

- Shinichi Saijo: Representative Director & CEO, XTech Inc.

- Tsutomu Tobi: Associate Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Fukuoka University, Ph.D. (Management)

- Ikuko Matsuda: Attorney, Base Law Office, Attorney Corporation

- Masaru Saraya: Executive Officer, CCO, BATONZ Inc.

Networking Reception

A networking reception was held, allowing all participants to connect. M&A specialists, buyer executives, and sponsor companies—parties who rarely interact—gathered in one place, actively exchanging business cards and information. Cross-industry connections were formed, creating a vibrant, enthusiastic, and joyful atmosphere.

Event Overview

- Event Name: M&A Future Conference 2026 by BATONZ

- Date: June 11, 2026 (Thursday)

- Organizer: BATONZ Inc.

- Sponsors (in alphabetical order): Inte Group Co., Ltd., S.M.S. Co., Ltd., M&A Best Partners Co., Ltd., Openwork Co., Ltd., Japan M&A Center Co., Ltd., Japan Search Fund Association (general incorporated association), fundbook Co., Ltd., Funai Soken Agata FAS Co., Ltd., Meinan M&A Co., Ltd.

- URL: https://event.batonz.jp/conference2026

About the M&A and Business Succession Support Platform 'BATONZ (Batonz)'

With the vision of 'realizing a society where anyone, anywhere can easily and freely conduct M&A,' BATONZ enables the baton-passing of all companies and businesses. The 'BATONZ' platform delivers cutting-edge M&A support services by combining expert support with digital transformation (DX), making it the #1 market share leader in users, listings, and closed deals in the M&A and business succession support platform industry.

※#1 in user count, listing volume, and closed deals in the M&A platform market from FY2021 to FY2025 (including projections). Source: Deloitte Tohmatsu Micke Economic Research Institute, 'Current Status and Outlook of the Domestic Business Matching Platform Market [2025 Edition]' (published November 2025) (mic-r.co.jp)

Company Overview

Company Name: BATONZ Inc. (https://batonz.jp/company/)

Headquarters: 10F, Shinagawa HEART, 1-8-23 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative: CEO Yuichi Kanzeki

Business: Planning, development, and operation of the comprehensive M&A platform 'BATONZ (Batonz)'

(https://batonz.jp/)

Planning, development, and operation of the staffing service 'LANNERZ (Runners)'

(https://batonz.jp/lp/lannerz/: Employment Agency License No. 13-Yu-318789)

Listed Market: Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth

Established: April 2018