The number of merger and acquisition deals involving Japanese companies jumped 40.8 percent to a record high of 1,768 in 2000, a research division of Nomura Securities Co. said in a report released Thursday.
It was the third consecutive year for M&A deals to reach a record high. Nomura has collected data on M&As since 1986.
Nomura's Financial Research Center said M&A deals are expected to continue to grow as companies accelerate efforts to restructure and boost core businesses.
The number of M&A deals involving only Japanese companies grew 38.6 percent to 1,344 last year, setting a record for the fourth straight year.
The number of M&A deals initiated by Japanese companies toward foreign firms rose 55.7 percent to 288. They include NTT DoCoMo Inc.'s purchase of a 16 percent stake in AT&T Wireless Group Inc. of the United States.
The number of M&A deals initiated by foreign companies toward Japanese firms increased 34.7 percent to 136, a record high. Among the high-profile deals, DaimlerChrysler AG acquired a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corp.