A host of top international firms in Tokyo have drawn up plans to secure local law capacity next year when Japanese bar reforms will allow firms to fully integrate their joint venture (JV) practices.

A group of foreign firms, including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Clifford Chance, Sidley Austin Brown & Wood and Ashurst, have told Legal Week they are looking to merge their joint venture practices when the regulations are finalised over the next few months.