For more than a decade, law firms have faced an increasingly competitive market, due to a government policy to boost the number of lawyers and Japan’s shrinking population.
Around thirty years ago, the government raised the number of those who passed the bar to approximately 2000, from about 500. The Justice Ministry increased the number for two main reasons.
One, was in the hopes of providing services in more remote places, where lawyers per capita is unproportionately small, and the second was with the expectation that Japan would see a surge in lawsuits, as it becomes more like the U.S. But lawsuits have not increased at all since then.
With over fifty years of experience, demonstrating a pioneering spirit underpinned by professionalism and intelligence, Nishimura & Asahi (N&A), is one of Asia’s leading law firms with eighteen offices, spread across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and U.S. The firm’s fundamental mission is to “Realise an affluent and fair society, based on the rule of law”.
Nishimura & Asahi boast the largest number of lawyers in Japan and as a global law firm, is actively expanding its business in Asia. N&A managing partner, Ryutaro Nakayama says, “Southeast Asia is expected to continue to grow at a high rate, with a large population and an increasing number of middle-class and high net-worth individuals. It is also an important region in the global supply chain.” The firm’s practices cover a broad range of specialties, cultivating expertise and experience in emerging practice areas such as sustainability, document exchange, and international commerce/sanctions, in addition to traditional areas such as M&A, finance and dispute settlement.
N&A have played an important role in the development of the Japanese legal system, providing its clients with not only legal services that are at the forefront of business law, but with advanced technology to provide creative solutions to the legal challenges of the clients. The firm has led complex transactions that have had a major impact on the Japanese economy, including the reorganisation of Japan Airlines and Sharp Corporation, and more recently, the reorganisation of Takata Corporation, and TEPCO, as its main counsel.
N&A Partner, Yuri Sugano, says, “Our firm is trying to achieve positive changes for the judicial system in Japan. Since 2021, I have been serving on multiple committees under the Financial Services Agency, who are attempting to bring about legislation, which will transform financing practices in Japan.”
It is predicted that Japan’s industries will undergo major socio-economic transformations this year. The firm believes that its pledge of ‘Leading You Forward’, will play a key part in the structural transformation of Japan’s society and economy.
The positive impact of Nishimura & Asahi’s work is not limited to Japan. The firm has also brought about positive changes to the judicial systems and legal services throughout the Asia region. The countries of South-East Asia are diverse, with different judicial systems and varying degrees of economic development. Therefore, in formulating legal solutions in the region, it is critical to consider local systems, law enforcement conditions, and business practices as well as the unique cultural background of the location at issue.
The promise of “Leading You Forward” is one that every N&A member must realise on a daily basis, based on the firm’s commitment to bring positive change to both its clients and society.
“‘Leading You Forward’ means helping those who are unable to help themselves,” says Yuri Sugano. “It bridges the gaps between the affected groups and leading by example. By engaging in activities based on this concept, I can positively affect the lives of people around me.”
For more than a decade, law firms have faced an increasingly competitive market, due to a government policy to boost the number of lawyers and Japan’s shrinking population.
Around thirty years ago, the government raised the number of those who passed the bar to approximately 2000, from about 500. The Justice Ministry increased the number for two main reasons.
One, was in the hopes of providing services in more remote places, where lawyers per capita is unproportionately small, and the second was with the expectation that Japan would see a surge in lawsuits, as it becomes more like the U.S. But lawsuits have not increased at all since then.
With over fifty years of experience, demonstrating a pioneering spirit underpinned by professionalism and intelligence, Nishimura & Asahi (N&A), is one of Asia’s leading law firms with eighteen offices, spread across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and U.S. The firm’s fundamental mission is to “Realise an affluent and fair society, based on the rule of law”.
Nishimura & Asahi boast the largest number of lawyers in Japan and as a global law firm, is actively expanding its business in Asia. N&A managing partner, Ryutaro Nakayama says, “Southeast Asia is expected to continue to grow at a high rate, with a large population and an increasing number of middle-class and high net-worth individuals. It is also an important region in the global supply chain.” The firm’s practices cover a broad range of specialties, cultivating expertise and experience in emerging practice areas such as sustainability, document exchange, and international commerce/sanctions, in addition to traditional areas such as M&A, finance and dispute settlement.
N&A have played an important role in the development of the Japanese legal system, providing its clients with not only legal services that are at the forefront of business law, but with advanced technology to provide creative solutions to the legal challenges of the clients. The firm has led complex transactions that have had a major impact on the Japanese economy, including the reorganisation of Japan Airlines and Sharp Corporation, and more recently, the reorganisation of Takata Corporation, and TEPCO, as its main counsel.
N&A Partner, Yuri Sugano, says, “Our firm is trying to achieve positive changes for the judicial system in Japan. Since 2021, I have been serving on multiple committees under the Financial Services Agency, who are attempting to bring about legislation, which will transform financing practices in Japan.”
It is predicted that Japan’s industries will undergo major socio-economic transformations this year. The firm believes that its pledge of ‘Leading You Forward’, will play a key part in the structural transformation of Japan’s society and economy.
The positive impact of Nishimura & Asahi’s work is not limited to Japan. The firm has also brought about positive changes to the judicial systems and legal services throughout the Asia region. The countries of South-East Asia are diverse, with different judicial systems and varying degrees of economic development. Therefore, in formulating legal solutions in the region, it is critical to consider local systems, law enforcement conditions, and business practices as well as the unique cultural background of the location at issue.
The promise of “Leading You Forward” is one that every N&A member must realise on a daily basis, based on the firm’s commitment to bring positive change to both its clients and society.
“‘Leading You Forward’ means helping those who are unable to help themselves,” says Yuri Sugano. “It bridges the gaps between the affected groups and leading by example. By engaging in activities based on this concept, I can positively affect the lives of people around me.”
For more than a decade, law firms have faced an increasingly competitive market, due to a government policy to boost the number of lawyers and Japan’s shrinking population.
Around thirty years ago, the government raised the number of those who passed the bar to approximately 2000, from about 500. The Justice Ministry increased the number for two main reasons.
One, was in the hopes of providing services in more remote places, where lawyers per capita is unproportionately small, and the second was with the expectation that Japan would see a surge in lawsuits, as it becomes more like the U.S. But lawsuits have not increased at all since then.
With over fifty years of experience, demonstrating a pioneering spirit underpinned by professionalism and intelligence, Nishimura & Asahi (N&A), is one of Asia’s leading law firms with eighteen offices, spread across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and U.S. The firm’s fundamental mission is to “Realise an affluent and fair society, based on the rule of law”.
Nishimura & Asahi boast the largest number of lawyers in Japan and as a global law firm, is actively expanding its business in Asia. N&A managing partner, Ryutaro Nakayama says, “Southeast Asia is expected to continue to grow at a high rate, with a large population and an increasing number of middle-class and high net-worth individuals. It is also an important region in the global supply chain.” The firm’s practices cover a broad range of specialties, cultivating expertise and experience in emerging practice areas such as sustainability, document exchange, and international commerce/sanctions, in addition to traditional areas such as M&A, finance and dispute settlement.
N&A have played an important role in the development of the Japanese legal system, providing its clients with not only legal services that are at the forefront of business law, but with advanced technology to provide creative solutions to the legal challenges of the clients. The firm has led complex transactions that have had a major impact on the Japanese economy, including the reorganisation of Japan Airlines and Sharp Corporation, and more recently, the reorganisation of Takata Corporation, and TEPCO, as its main counsel.
N&A Partner, Yuri Sugano, says, “Our firm is trying to achieve positive changes for the judicial system in Japan. Since 2021, I have been serving on multiple committees under the Financial Services Agency, who are attempting to bring about legislation, which will transform financing practices in Japan.”
It is predicted that Japan’s industries will undergo major socio-economic transformations this year. The firm believes that its pledge of ‘Leading You Forward’, will play a key part in the structural transformation of Japan’s society and economy.
The positive impact of Nishimura & Asahi’s work is not limited to Japan. The firm has also brought about positive changes to the judicial systems and legal services throughout the Asia region. The countries of South-East Asia are diverse, with different judicial systems and varying degrees of economic development. Therefore, in formulating legal solutions in the region, it is critical to consider local systems, law enforcement conditions, and business practices as well as the unique cultural background of the location at issue.
The promise of “Leading You Forward” is one that every N&A member must realise on a daily basis, based on the firm’s commitment to bring positive change to both its clients and society.
“‘Leading You Forward’ means helping those who are unable to help themselves,” says Yuri Sugano. “It bridges the gaps between the affected groups and leading by example. By engaging in activities based on this concept, I can positively affect the lives of people around me.”