Employment | Asia-Pacific

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has a well-regarded team with a deep bench of highly skilled practitioners adept at handling the full spectrum of employment matters, including harassment and termination cases. The firm also assists in trade union negotiations and is highly regarded by domestic and international clients active in the financial, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. The team is also notably active in restructurings and is proficient in acting on issues concerning fixed-term employment contracts. The firm is also adept at advising major domestic clients on compliance matters, government investigations and employee misconduct actions.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has a thriving employment practice with a strong track record in handling the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm assists with restructurings, labour compliance issues, terminations and internal investigations concerning harassment or overworking claims. The team's client roster includes major domestic corporations, public entities and international subsidiaries operating in Japan. It also acts on issues concerning fixed-term contracts and workers' accident insurance. The firm is able to provide compliance training on harassment prevention to corporations.

Vanguard Lawyers offers a dedicated employment boutique singled out for the depth of its expertise in employment issues. The firm is frequently retained by major foreign corporations including financial institutions and media companies. The team is active on overtime issues as well as on dismissal of employees for poor performance and misconduct. It is additionally notable for its expertise in handling internal investigations relating to harassment, discrimination, expense abuse, fraud and regulatory breaches. The firm is also equipped to advise on collective bargaining matters.

Baker McKenzie has a highly commended employment team offering high-quality advice to multinationals active in Japan on collective bargaining, large-scale workforce reductions, and harassment and other contentious employment matters. The firm is also well versed in dealing with issues encompassing voluntary resignations, employee incentives, employee mobility risk management projects, classifications and overtime claims. The team's clients are drawn from the banking, technology, pharmaceutical and retail sectors. Baker McKenzie is adept at handling litigation at district court and High Court levels.

Daiichi Fuyo Law Office is a recognised practice advising Japanese corporations on a range of contentious employment issues. The firm represents clients in labour tribunals and union negotiations, and additionally offers advice on risk management in relation to this practice area.

Atsumi & Sakai offers expertise in contentious terminations, claims for reinstatement and power harassment matters. The firm is also skilled in working on employment aspects pertaining to mergers and on compliance matters. The team is well-versed in acting for corporations on issues concerning employees' mental health issues. It acts on behalf of foreign corporations and their Japanese subsidiaries, as well as domestic entities.

DLA Piper has a robust employment practice with a strong following among companies operating in the technology industry. The firm draws praise for its ability to bridge the gap between Japanese and international law. The team has a diverse workload which includes acting on union negotiations, employment terminations and investigations, and maintains a solid track record for acting on employment matters arising from M&A transactions and business restructurings, such as post-transactional employee integration. It frequently acts on issues concerning employee classification.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu fields an employment team with strength advising both Japanese and foreign corporations on contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm's work includes acting on internal investigations, workforce reorganisations and day-to-day matters such as compliance. The team is highly adept at defending claims of unfair termination and advising on employment aspects of corporate restructurings. It also acts on criminal investigations related to employment issues and provides additional assistance with compensation following allegations of harassment.

Nishimura & Asahi has an established employment practice, experienced in representing employers in union negotiations and substantial employee reorganisations. The firm's range of work includes advising on contentious terminations as well as on issues concerning overtime work, workplace injury and illegal dispatch of employees. The team is also frequently instructed to assist with the transfer of employees following M&A transactions. It is able to provide reviews and revisions of work rules codes and personnel system reforms.

City-Yuwa Partners advises Japanese and international companies from numerous sectors, including manufacturing, retail and hospitality, on matters such as contracts and terminations, harassment and compliance, and acts for them in labour and employment disputes.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe specialises in advising international corporations on non-contentious employment matters. The firm has strength in handling a wide variety of related matters including post-merger integrations and establishment of operations in Japan. The team is active on training, compliance and governance issues. It regularly advises on labour disputes-related matters before the Tokyo District Court and the Japan Labour Tribunal.

TMI Associates has a full-service practice that offers expertise in contentious and advisory employment law mandates. The firm advises clients on employment law matters arising from corporation transactions and workforce optimisation processes, in addition to advising on compliance matters and issues associated with working hours and overtime pay. The team is also able to assist with investigations into allegations of sexual and power harassment.

Ushijima & Partners frequently acts for Japanese clients in sensitive employment matters. It handles litigation and investigations, also supporting companies in the establishment of whistle-blowing systems.