Japanese law firm TMI Associates is expanding its European presence with the launch of an office in Brussels.

This marks TMI Associates’ third excursion in Europe, after London and Paris.

The new office comes in light of the firm’s goal to “provide clients with information on the latest trends in [European Union] law”, it shared in a statement. It will closely collaborate with itsoffices in the U.K. and France.

Leading the group is the firm’s Japan and U.S.-qualified structured finance partner Mizuki Koshimoto, who will be relocating from its Tokyo office. He will act for Japanese companies in renewable energy and carbon credit transactions as well as environmental and ESG-related matters.

Koshimoto will be supported by partner Akihiro Kudo in the firm’s London office, who is a specialist in EU competition law and will provide clients “local support” to comply with regulations.

The Brussels team will advise Japanese clients in the region on European competition law, data protection law and “dealing with EU authorities”. In addition to this, the firm plans to support European companies entering the Japanese market, particularly through counsel on energy, environment and ESG mandates.

TMI's launch is the latest example of Japanese firms broadening their European reach through a presence in Brussels. Last month, the country’s Big Four firm Nishimura & Asahi announced double-office openings in London and Brussels. Both offices collaborate with the firm’s existing operations in Germany to ensure compliance for Japanese and other Asian companies on M&A and project-related matters in Europe.

In May, Atsumi & Sakai also landed in the city to support its clients on their European business development, doing so by working closely with its London and Frankfurt offices.