Feature Europe

Connecting Asia and Europe

Our four regional offices provide strategic, tailored legal services centering on M&A, economic regulations, and digital protocols with a panoramic view of the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Since 2020, our Frankfurt and Düsseldorf offices have provided a wide range of legal services to Japanese and Asian companies operating in Europe in areas including corporate law, M&A, supply chain regulations, due diligence, and GDPR.

Rapid changes to policies and regulations in the region impact not only companies operating in Europe but also corporate behavior worldwide. Following Brexit, London continues to maintain its reputation as a hub in European M&A and finance. There is a growing demand for these legal services.

Amidst these developments, we are opening offices in London and Brussels in 2025. Rules originating in Europe are often applied to companies outside the region and tend to influence the structure and content of regulations in other regions for companies with global group management. Our presence will allow us to quickly react to legislative policies and regulatory trends. We provide strategic and tailored legal services to Japanese and other Asian companies with a panoramic view of the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In addition, we aim to establish ourselves as a trusted advisor to European industries with a stake in Asia by serving as a key interface between European and Asian business activities.

Strengths of our Europe Practice

: Strength 1: Solutions; We provide comprehensive solutions through exceptional knowledge and counsel. Our teams across Europe are comprised of both Japanese and local lawyers with extensive experience in Europe and Asia.

: Strength 2: Commitment; As a further commitment to serving as an interface between the two regions, we bring together our best lawyers in Japan and Europe who support business activities contributing to a better society.

: Strength 3: Spirit; Driven by a pioneering spirit and unwavering professionalism, we deliver legal services tailored to an evolving global landscape and dynamic business and social environments. Our seamless collaboration across Nishimura & Asahi’s four European offices and global network, including Tokyo, ensures comprehensive support.

Office introduction videos

A message from our Europe practice managing partners

Kojiro Fujii (Brussels)

In recent years, rulemaking in Europe has been progressing to more proactively address emerging issues including human rights, the environment, economic security, and the enhancement of corporate competitiveness through regulatory measures.

These regulatory changes have the potential to significantly impact our clients’ corporate governance and international supply chains and are often referenced in rulemaking by other countries—leading to a growing awareness among companies. Brussels is a key regulatory hub and home to governing institutions like the European Commission, central to the further development of EU regulation. With an expanded presence in Europe through our office opening, and EU lawyers based in the region, we can help our global clients in Europe facilitate a cohesive and immediate response to these obstacles.

Our Brussels office has particularly strong capabilities on Key areas of European economic regulation for businesses, such as EU competition, international trade law, as well as sustainability matters. We take a proactive approach to anticipating future regulatory developments, supporting companies with strategic regulatory responses, risk mitigation, and identifying new business opportunities, including involvement in rule-making.

Kojiro Fujii (Brussels)

In recent years, rulemaking in Europe has been progressing to more proactively address emerging issues including human rights, the environment, economic security, and the enhancement of corporate competitiveness through regulatory measures.

These regulatory changes have the potential to significantly impact our clients’ corporate governance and international supply chains and are often referenced in rulemaking by other countries—leading to a growing awareness among companies. Brussels is a key regulatory hub and home to governing institutions like the European Commission, central to the further development of EU regulation. With an expanded presence in Europe through our office opening, and EU lawyers based in the region, we can help our global clients in Europe facilitate a cohesive and immediate response to these obstacles.

Our Brussels office has particularly strong capabilities on Key areas of European economic regulation for businesses, such as EU competition, international trade law, as well as sustainability matters. We take a proactive approach to anticipating future regulatory developments, supporting companies with strategic regulatory responses, risk mitigation, and identifying new business opportunities, including involvement in rule-making.

Yoshiyuki Kizu (London)

Following the opening of our two German offices in 2020, we have provided high-quality legal services to our Japanese and Asian clients operating in Europe. With the opening of our London office, located where many Japanese companies have their European headquarters, we reinforce our commitment to meeting the region's growing and complex legal demands.

From our experience, M&A transactions in Europe are highly complex due to differences in language, legal systems, and market standards across countries. It is essential that we take a comprehensive view of these differences and carefully consider how best to support the development of our clients’ business across the continent. We can provide guidance on cross-border M&A, corporate, and finance matters throughout Europe, and when needed, leveraging close cooperation with local law firms to provide seamless support across jurisdictions.

Yoshiyuki Kizu (London)

Following the opening of our two German offices in 2020, we have provided high-quality legal services to our Japanese and Asian clients operating in Europe. With the opening of our London office, located where many Japanese companies have their European headquarters, we reinforce our commitment to meeting the region's growing and complex legal demands.

From our experience, M&A transactions in Europe are highly complex due to differences in language, legal systems, and market standards across countries. It is essential that we take a comprehensive view of these differences and carefully consider how best to support the development of our clients’ business across the continent. We can provide guidance on cross-border M&A, corporate, and finance matters throughout Europe, and when needed, leveraging close cooperation with local law firms to provide seamless support across jurisdictions.

Noriya Ishikawa / Dominik Kruse (Frankfurt / Düsseldorf)

Since we opened our Frankfurt and Düsseldorf offices five years ago, we have handled numerous M&A and digital regulatory matters in Germany. These two areas are recognized as the key strengths of our offices. We have a diverse team of lawyers from multiple countries with specialized experience. Beyond advising Japanese companies in Japan, we also advise European companies on legal matters across various jurisdictions in Asia.

Moving forward, we are committed to collaborate with our London and Brussels locations. The Brussels office, located in Europe’s regulatory hub, enhances our ability to support rule-making and respond to the legal needs of our clients locally. We look forward to expanding our services in M&A. These strategic locations enhance our global capabilities beyond one region.

Noriya Ishikawa / Dominik Kruse (Frankfurt / Düsseldorf)

Since we opened our Frankfurt and Düsseldorf offices five years ago, we have handled numerous M&A and digital regulatory matters in Germany. These two areas are recognized as the key strengths of our offices. We have a diverse team of lawyers from multiple countries with specialized experience. Beyond advising Japanese companies in Japan, we also advise European companies on legal matters across various jurisdictions in Asia.

Moving forward, we are committed to collaborate with our London and Brussels locations. The Brussels office, located in Europe’s regulatory hub, enhances our ability to support rule-making and respond to the legal needs of our clients locally. We look forward to expanding our services in M&A. These strategic locations enhance our global capabilities beyond one region.