合併

• Reading: がっぺい
• Romaji: gappei
• Kanji breakdown: 合 (go/a) — combine, unite; 併 (hei) — merge, combine, annex
• Pronunciation: /ɡap.peː/

Meaning

Merger; amalgamation; consolidation. The combining of two or more companies into a single legal entity.

Two main types exist: 吸収合併 (absorption merger), where one company absorbs another and the acquired entity ceases to exist, and 新設合併 (consolidation), where all merging entities dissolve and a new company is formed. Mergers require shareholder approval and regulatory scrutiny for competition law compliance. 合併 is also used for the merger of municipalities (市町村合併) and other organisations.

Examples

1. 二社の合併により、国内最大規模の金融グループが誕生した。 The merger of the two companies gave birth to the largest financial group in the country.
2. 合併後の人員整理をめぐって、労使間の協議が長期化している。 Negotiations between labour and management over post-merger restructuring have dragged on.
3. 吸収合併か対等合併かによって、統合後の組織文化は大きく異なってくる。 Whether it is an absorption merger or a merger of equals makes a significant difference to the organisational culture of the combined entity.

Usage Guide

Context: M&A, corporate law, business news, public administration

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 合 (to combine, unite) and 併 (to merge, run side by side). The character 併 itself depicts things placed side by side then joined, capturing the essence of combining separate entities.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business/Legal