Baker McKenzie launches UK Japan Connect to further strengthen legal and business ties between Japan and the UK
Leading global law firm, Baker McKenzie has launched UK Japan Connect, a new legal and business forum aimed at connecting people, culture and business in Japan and the UK. The new initiative was officially launched on 3 June at a reception hosted at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, with legislators, Government, Japanese trade and industry associations as well as Japanese legal and business executives in attendance.
The UK Japan Connect forum will be used to drive continued engagement with governments, businesses and business professionals in the UK and Japan. As it develops, the forum will allow businesses to keep up-to-date with legal issues, explore new opportunities for investment in both countries and network with peers and key industry bodies through regular seminars and events.
Commenting on the launch of UK Japan Connect, Baker McKenzie’s lead partner for the initiative and UK Japan Connect Chairman, James Heller, said, “I am thrilled to have officially launched this new forum, further strengthening the excellent bilateral relationship between the UK and Japan. Outbound M&A from Japan to the UK is more robust than ever and now is the optimal time for Japanese investors to deploy capital in the UK. Conversely, Tokyo’s ambitions to become an asset management centre for the Asian markets presents an attractive investment opportunity for London’s world-class financial sponsor community. As a firm, we are uniquely placed to not only advise Japanese clients on legal issues and their strategic investments in the UK, but UK sponsors on their Japan strategy.”
The launch of the UK Japan Connect forum builds on Baker McKenzie’s leading position as an adviser on outbound M&A work from Japan into London. The Firm regularly advises Japanese corporations across a range of activities, including the acquisition of foreign entities and assets, overseas expansion through joint ventures and business partnerships, public takeover bids and other types of acquisitions and capital tie-ups.