It¡¯s been a record year for deals involving Japanese companies, with transaction volume approaching $350 billion as December draws to a close. And next year is poised to be even busier.

Corporate governance reforms aimed at improving shareholder returns are helping to transform Japan into a hive of activity ¡ª the days when it was seen as a slow market with an occasional megadeal thrown in are disappearing fast.

¡°Dealmaking in Japan is incredibly busy,¡± said Chris Laskowski, head of Asia investment banking at Jefferies Financial Group. ¡°I spend a lot more time talking to our colleagues there now than any time before.¡±