Japanese Big Four firm Nishimura & Asahi is set to expand its European presence by opening offices in London and Brussels in early 2025.
This move follows the firm's pioneering 2020 entry into Europe with offices in Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, making it the first Japanese law firm to establish a foothold in the region post-Brexit.
In a release, the firm emphasized the strategic importance of these new locations. London, a global hub for M&A and finance, hosts numerous Japanese companies' European headquarters. Brussels, on the other hand, is the epicentre of EU policies and regulations. Nishimura stated that these offices are crucial for providing optimal support to their clients.
Partner Yoshiyuki Kizu, who specializes in cross-border M&A for Europe-related matters, will head the London office. With three years of experience working in Germany, France, and Italy, Kizu commented, "Opening an office in London is part of our efforts to strengthen operations and meet the increasingly diverse and complex demands in the region. We aim to provide high-value-add services, focusing on cross-border M&A, corporate, and financial transactions not only in the UK but across Europe."
The Brussels office will be led by Tokyo-based partner Kojiro Fuji, whose practice centres on competition law, international trade law, digital regulations, and public policy. Fuji highlighted Brussels' significance, stating, "As home to key institutions like the European Commission, Brussels is influential in shaping global corporate trends. Our experienced lawyers will be well-positioned to promptly ascertain changes in EU legal policies and regulations, especially in areas like sustainability, digital regulation, and data protection."
Both offices will be staffed by a mix of Japanese and local lawyers, enhancing the firm's ability to serve clients across Europe. Nishimura views this expansion, including enhanced collaboration with its existing German offices, as a pioneering initiative for an Asia-based law firm.
Outside Japan and Europe, Nishimura currently has a presence in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the UAE, the U.S., China, and Myanmar.
