Jörg Grünenberger

Partner, Tax, Head of Country Practice Japan

KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

I have spent a total of six years living and working in Japan. A scholarship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) gave me the opportunity to learn fluent Japanese and gain an insight into Japanese (business and corporate) culture. I continue to visit Japan regularly, on business and privately. The country and its culture fascinate me and have become a second home. 

From the start of my work as an advisor, my focus has been on advising Japanese companies on tax and legal matters, particularly in relation to their German subsidiaries and sites. 

As Head of Country Practice Japan at KPMG Germany, I am particularly keen to establish long-term and trust-based relationships with our Japanese clients and other contacts. 

The expertise in our teams provides a basis for this long-term collaboration. But it is also important for our Japanese business that we have experience of working and communicating with Japanese and German people at the following levels: Japanese headquarters / European holding companies / German subsidiaries and sites. Another important aspect is close cooperation within the KPMG network of our Global Japan Practice (GJP). 

Communication rooted in trust is crucial to fully understanding the complexity of our clients' requirements. Personal relationships are the basis for these insights, which give us a significant advantage over our competitors. I also have close personal ties with Japan as my wife is Japanese.

  • High Growth Markets
  • International Markets
  • Middle Market
  • National Markets
  • Tax planning
  • Tax strategies
  • Rechtsanwalt (German attorney)

  • Steuerberater (German tax advisor)

  • Head of Tax at KPMG Japan Inbound Practice

  • Member and EMA Steering Committee Member of the KPMG Global Japanese Practice (GJP)

  • Member of the board of the German-Japanese Business Association (DJW)

  • Chairman of the alumni organization of the DAAD Language and Practical Experience in Japan program

  • 2006-2008: Speaker at Keio Law School Tokio - International Tax Law