YYC, one of Malaysia’s top 10 accounting and advisory firms, is strengthening its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) capabilities through its strategic partnership with Japan’s Nihon M&A Center Inc., as part of a broader effort to address Malaysia’s growing SME succession challenges.
A delegation of YYC partners and directors recently attended Accounting Day 2026, held from 17 to 18 March 2026 in Tokyo and hosted by Nihon M&A Center Inc., where approximately 2,000 Japanese accounting professionals gathered to exchange insights on the role of M&A in business continuity and growth.
During the event, Datin Shin Siang Yap, Group CEO of YYC, and Zhi Chau Yap, Group Executive Chairman of YYC, were invited on stage, recognising YYC as the first accounting firm in Malaysia to formalise a partnership with Nihon M&A Center Inc. through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in July 2025.
Notably, the collaboration between both parties predates the formal agreement. YYC had successfully facilitated two cross-border M&A deals with Nihon M&A Center several years prior, demonstrating early alignment and proven execution capability in cross-border transactions.
“Being invited on stage was not just an honour, it also reflects a partnership built on real experience and trust over time,” said Datin Shin Siang Yap. “More importantly, it reinforces our responsibility to bring these capabilities back and make them accessible to Malaysian SMEs.”
Addressing Malaysia’s Emerging Succession Challenge
Insights from the conference underscored a growing reality across many economies: businesses do not necessarily fail; they cease operations due to the lack of succession.
In Japan, this challenge has been proactively addressed through structured M&A ecosystems, where businesses are acquired, continued, and scaled rather than shut down, preserving decades of value creation.
As part of the visit, Datin Shin Siang Yap and Zhi Chau Yap met with Suguru Miyake, Co-founder and President of Nihon M&A Center, who founded the firm 35 years ago at a time when SME M&A was still uncommon, and played a pivotal role in shaping the de facto standard for the industry in Japan. Today, the firm completes approximately 1,000 deals annually.
“What stood out was not just their scale, but their discipline. By ‘SOP-ing everything’, they have effectively built a system that can be replicated and scaled, rather than just a business,” Datin Shin noted.
M&A as a Strategic Tool for Malaysian SMEs
The visit reinforced a critical perspective: M&A is no longer exclusive to large corporations but is increasingly a viable and strategic pathway for SMEs.
For business owners without a clear succession plan, particularly those not pursuing IPOs or without family successors, M&A offers an alternative to ensure continuity, unlock value, and enable further growth.
“This is a powerful strategy for SMEs, enabling them to grow, compete, and sustain their legacy beyond a single generation,” said Datin Shin.
Accelerating Capability Transfer to Malaysia
YYC emphasised that its international exposure is designed to accelerate the transfer of global best practices into the Malaysian SME ecosystem.
By building early partnerships and gaining firsthand insights, the firm aims to develop more structured and accessible M&A advisory solutions locally.
“We cannot wait for ideas to reach Malaysia. We must go out, learn ahead of the curve, and bring those insights back to better guide our clients,” Datin Shin said.
A Long-Term Commitment to Business Continuity
The initiative reflects YYC’s broader mission to empower entrepreneurial success, not only in building businesses, but in ensuring their continuity and long-term legacy.
“Success is not just about building a business. It is about ensuring that what has taken decades to build can continue and grow,” Datin Shin added.
As Malaysia’s SME landscape evolves, YYC sees M&A advisory as an increasingly critical pillar in supporting sustainable business transitions and long-term economic resilience.
For more information on YYC, please visit www.yycadvisors.com