Clifford Chance has boosted its local law joint venture in Japan after hiring a team of five bengoshi, or local lawyers, to its Tokyo-based practice from another firm.

The joint venture, known as Clifford Chance Tanaka & Akita, will be renamed Clifford Chance Tanaka Akita & Nakagawa following the hires to recognise the status of Noboru Nakagawa the former managing partner of Tokyo firm Nakagawa & Takashina.