Fisher Phillips, a prominent American law firm, establishes its second international branch in Tokyo.
**Fisher Phillips Opens Tokyo Office, Expanding Global Reach**
Fisher Phillips, a U.S.-based labor and employment law firm, has expanded its operations by opening a Tokyo office, marking its second international location. The new office will provide specialized legal services tailored for American and multinational companies operating in Japan.
The Tokyo branch, led by Nan Sato who is a U.S. lawyer registered with the Japanese Ministry of Justice as foreign legal counsel, will offer labor and employment law compliance and advisory services to help foreign companies understand and comply with Japan’s evolving labor regulations. The office will also support registration and licensing processes for foreign-qualified lawyers in Japan, capitalizing on the recent streamlining of registration requirements by the Japanese Ministry of Justice.
In addition to Sato, four Japanese-licensed lawyers have joined as of counsel: Takanori Hirai, Wataru Miyajima, Ryosuke Ogino, and Noriyuki Takase. Hirai specializes in workplace discrimination and labour relations, Miyajima focuses on employment contracts and trade secret protection, and Ogino is a litigator who helps establish legal frameworks to avoid potential disputes. Takase navigates data privacy regulations.
The expansion of Fisher Phillips also extends the reach of Fisher Worldwide, the firm's global consulting division. Fisher Worldwide provides multinational companies with an international network of legal and HR consultants who can offer centralized critical support in talent management, compensation, compliance, operations, union relations, employee engagement, and start-up/exit strategies.
John Polson, chairman and managing partner of Fisher Phillips, stated that the dynamic shifts in U.S. and Japanese employment regulations, along with the increasing globalization of business, have led to a substantial rise in demand for regionally available services. The Tokyo office aims to serve American and multinational companies operating in Japan, as well as Japanese businesses with operations in the Americas.
Shikun Gao, senior consultant, is a part of the Tokyo team and advises on employment issues, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance. Toyokazu Yamaguchi, also of counsel, has experience in Shanghai and Hong Kong and handles compliance, contracts, and cross-border cases.
With the opening in Tokyo, Fisher Phillips' global footprint now includes 45 offices across the United States, Mexico, and Japan. This enables the firm to offer comprehensive legal solutions grounded both in U.S. and Japanese law, specifically designed for foreign enterprises operating in Japan.
William Wright, Fisher Phillips' head of global strategies, described the Tokyo office as a strategic alignment, creating powerful synergies with the firm's existing work and client base. Wright emphasized that the new office will act as a bridge for American and multinational clients to align U.S. corporate policies with Japanese labor practices and legal requirements.
The opening of the Tokyo office also expands the services of Fisher Phillips' global consulting firm, Fisher Worldwide, in Asia. As more foreign law firms enter the Japanese market, Fisher Phillips is well-positioned to support companies navigating complex labor and employment laws within the Japanese market.
- Fisher Phillips' new Tokyo office, in compliance with Japan’s evolving labor regulations, will offer specialized legal services to help foreign companies, including those in the finance and technology sectors, understand and adhere to data privacy and labor law requirements in their business operations.
- Fisher Worldwide, the global consulting division of Fisher Phillips, will leverage the Tokyo office's expertise in labor and employment law compliance to provide support in talent management, compensation, compliance, operations, and union relations for multinational companies, ensuring regulatory adherence in the diverse technology-driven business environment.
- Another key service provided by the Tokyo office is the guidance on data privacy regulations, addressing a critical concern for American and multinational companies seeking growth opportunities in Japan and maintaining compliance with the dynamic shifts in privacy laws and regulations.
