Japan appears to have entered a new era of mergers and acquisitions with Oji Paper Co.'s recent takeover bid for Hokuetsu Paper Mills Ltd.
In a similar case, Aoki Holdings Inc., Japan's second-largest menswear chain, is trying to acquire Kyushu- based Futata Co. through a public tender offer.
Some of the major issues involving tender offers and why takeovers, especially hostile ones, are becoming more frequent in Japan are discussed below: