The General Incorporated Association M&A Support Institution Association (hereinafter, the Association / Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director: Taku Miyake / URL: https://www.maa-a.or.jp/), an M&A industry self-regulatory body, has partially revised its self-regulatory rules, the "Compliance Regulations," to prevent M&A support institutions from engaging in improper transactions and to ensure the soundness and reliability of the M&A market. This revision prohibits quasi-legal advertisements, sales, and consulting services that lead to the use of the corporate status of religious corporations for purposes other than their original intent. Furthermore, new regulations have been established regarding prior consultation with the Cultural Affairs Agency's Religious Affairs Division when there is a possibility of involvement in the transfer of control of religious corporations, reporting of suspicious transactions clearly suspected of being for tax evasion or money laundering, requests for reports from members by the Association, and information sharing with the Cultural Affairs Agency's Religious Affairs Division. In addition, an exception has been established for regular members (financial institutions) that have already established compliance systems based on relevant laws and external regulations, to avoid duplication with the Association's regulations. Background of the Revision M&A is widely utilized as a means for business succession of companies with no successor and for achieving company growth and development. On the other hand, depending on the subject and purpose of the transaction, there is a risk that the corporate status may be used for purposes other than its original intent. In particular, for religious corporations that are granted tax preferential treatment, M&A support institutions are required to respond cautiously to prevent transactions that lead to tax evasion, money laundering, or other fraudulent purposes by utilizing the corporat