Atsumi & Sakai has established an office in London, becoming the first Japanese firm to open its doors in the UK.

The London office, which operates under the name Atsumi & Sakai Europe Limited, advises clients on all aspects of Japanese law, with a focus on M&A, banking, capital markets and securities regulation.

Corporate partner Ryuichi Nozaki has relocated from Tokyo to head Atsumi & Sakai’s London office. He is supported by Tokyo-based senior partner Hiroki Mori, who oversees the firm’s European practice group in Japan. 

Atsumi & Sakai Europe also advises clients on Chinese, Australian and U.S. law through lawyers based in the firm’s Tokyo office who are qualified in those jurisdictions, the firm said in a statement.

Atsumi & Sakai continues to provide advice on German law through its foreign law joint enterprise with Janssen Foreign Law Office.