Japan’s largest law firm, Nishimura & Asahi, has entered into an association with Sy & Partners in the Philippines in order to closely support Japanese clients making investments in the Southeast Asian country.

Sy & Partners, led by Felix Sy, focuses on inbound and outbound investments. It currently has 10 lawyers, including four partners and of counsel.

For major Japanese law firms, Southeast Asia has been growing in importance as their clients seek increasing investment returns in the region to offset a shrinking domestic market.

Nishimura currently has a presence in seven cities in the region – either through its own office or an association firm - in Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Yangon. Earlier this year, it entered into association with Malaysia’s WM Leong & Co.

In a statement, Ryutaro Nakayama, Nishimura’s managing partner said the alliance would allow it access to a wider range of legal services in the Philippines market. Added Felix Sy: “[Working with Nishimura] will allow Sy & Partners excellent opportunities to provide…services to more Japanese as well as global and international clients.”