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TOKYO: Fisher Phillips, an international labor and employment law firm representing employers, announces the continuation of its global expansion with the launch of a Tokyo office. The new office gives Fisher Phillips a foothold in the region to respond to increasing client demand from American and multinational companies doing business in Japan and from Japanese companies doing business in the Americas. The new office location comes in response to Japan solidifying its position as a leading foreign investor in the U.S. – a trend that is expected to continue. As Japanese companies increasingly invest and operate within the U.S., their need to navigate and adhere to the complexities of the American legal system has grown significantly. This necessitates a deeper understanding and robust compliance strategies concerning U.S. laws and regulations to ensure smooth operations and mitigate potential legal risks. “The dynamic shifts in both the U.S. and Japanese employment regulations, coupled with the increasing globalization of business and the strategic importance of the Japanese market, have driven a substantial rise in demand for thoughtful and regionally available services tailored to the specific legal and cultural nuances of Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific,” said John Polson, Chairman and Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips. “Through our 45 offices across the U.S., Mexico and Japan, we can provide seamless coordination for global clients facing complex cross-border employment issues, ensuring consistent and effective legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions.” William Wright is Fisher Phillips’ Head of Global Strategies and has been behind the firm’s successful international expansion. Having focused almost exclusively on international employment issues for over 30 years, Bill noted that “this new office isn’t just an expansion; it’s a strategic alignment, creating powerful synergies with our existing work and client base. Tokyo represents yet another crucial international platform upon which we can seamlessly serve clients with increasingly complex multinational operations around the world.” With the opening in Tokyo, Fisher Phillips’ global consulting firm, Fisher Worldwide, also expands its services in Asia. Fisher Worldwide provides multinational companies with an international network of legal and HR consultants who can provide centralized critical support in talent management, compensation, compliance and operations, union relations, employee engagement and start-up/exit strategies. The Tokyo office will be led by Nan Sato, who also serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s International Practice Group with Bill Wright. As a U.S. lawyer and a Foreign Legal Counsel registered with Japanese Ministry of Justice, Nan will split her time between her U.S.-based practice and developing the firm’s Asia presence. She has extensive experience representing U.S. companies operating in Asia as well as Asian companies looking to expand into the U.S. market. As a global business partner, Nan helps multi-national corporations establish new international operations, M&A-related employment and data privacy issues, termination processes, international labor relations, global pay equity audits, as well as cross-border employment disputes. Joining Nan will be six legal professionals and consultants who can help multinational companies on employment issues, corporate transactions, and regulatory compliance in Asia, as well as structuring and negotiating cross-border transactions, and advising on labor and employment issues in global mobility scenarios. The team offers a unique advantage in providing fast and reliable support to the firm’s Japanese clients, communicating in their language and during their business hours. To learn more about Fisher Phillips’ Tokyo office, click here. -PR Newswire

Sharp Corporation has announced its decision to sell its small and midsize liquid crystal display (LCD) panel plant in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, to its Taiwanese parent company, Hon Hai Precision Industry. The transaction, set to be completed by August 2026, marks a significant step in Sharp’s strategic plan to streamline its business operations. The decision to sell the Kameyama No. 2 plant comes as Sharp seeks to concentrate its resources on more competitive and profitable sectors. The LCD panel business, which has struggled financially in recent years, is being downsized as part of a broader restructuring effort. Despite the transfer, Sharp assured that the plant would continue to fulfil existing client orders. Sharp President Masahiro Okitsu, speaking at an online news conference, confirmed that the company would maintain production of automotive LCD panels at its Kameyama No. 1 plant, as this segment remains a key profit driver. In another move reflecting its strategic realignment, Sharp plans to relocate its headquarters from Sakai to Osaka City within Osaka Prefecture. Financially, the company has reported a consolidated net profit of ¥36 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2024, marking a substantial recovery from the previous year’s net loss of ¥149.9 billion. This turnaround, the first profit recorded in three years, was attributed to successful restructuring measures and gains from asset sales. However, Sharp’s overall sales fell by 7.0% year-on-year to ¥2.16 trillion. Despite the decline, the company reported an operating profit of ¥27.3 billion, a notable improvement from the previous year’s loss of ¥20.3 billion. Looking ahead, Sharp projects sales of ¥1.85 trillion for fiscal 2025, representing a 14.4% decrease, and anticipates a net profit of ¥10 billion, a decline of 72.3%. The restructuring follows a period of financial difficulties, which led to the suspension of operations at Sharp’s television LCD panel factory in Sakai in August of the previous year. As part of its ongoing efforts to optimise operations, the company also sold part of the factory’s land and buildings to SoftBank. By offloading non-core assets and focusing on high-value production, Sharp aims to strengthen its long-term financial stability while continuing to serve its core customer base through strategic partnerships and targeted product offerings. -Japan Times

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has entered into a strategic partnership with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, to expand investment opportunities for Thai clients. This collaboration is part of SCB’s commitment to advancing the wealth of Thais and providing access to world-class financial solutions. Through its SCB Wealth division, the bank aims to position itself as Thailand’s leading wealth management institution. SCB Wealth clients will now benefit from privileged access to exclusive investment products, comprehensive research, and strategic insights drawn from BlackRock’s global network. Kris Chantanotoke, SCB’s chief executive, emphasised that the partnership, which took about a year to finalise, was designed to distinguish itself from previous alliances by significantly enhancing wealth management capabilities. The collaboration focuses on three key areas: investment products, research and technology, and human resources. SCB Wealth will combine its understanding of local investors’ needs with BlackRock’s global expertise, creating customised investment strategies that align with clients’ financial goals. A joint committee has been established to evaluate and curate exclusive offerings for SCB’s wealth clients. As part of this initiative, SCB has launched the SCB Wealth Academy to upskill its relationship managers (RMs), equipping them with the knowledge and tools to meet evolving client needs. The academy aims to support SCB’s core wealth segments, including SCB Private, SCB First, and SCB Prime, while also catering to emerging affluent individuals interested in personal and retirement financial planning. The partnership is also leveraging digital innovation to enhance accessibility. SCB is committed to using digital channels to broaden its wealth management services, supported by BlackRock’s advanced technological capabilities. One such initiative is the integration of BlackRock’s Aladdin Academy, a digital learning platform offering tailored content and certifications for investment professionals, including portfolio managers and risk analysts. Andrew Landman, deputy head of Asia-Pacific and head of Southeast Asia and Oceania at BlackRock, highlighted that digital tools will help expand customer access to wealth management services. He noted that the Aladdin Academy will enhance the skills of financial professionals, supporting a broad spectrum of roles within the investment lifecycle. Landman also stressed the importance of co-research, given the current global economic volatility and geopolitical risks. BlackRock’s research-driven approach aims to provide credible, high-value insights, allowing clients to make informed investment decisions amid an increasingly complex financial landscape. By prioritising long-term investment strategies, SCB and BlackRock are working to help clients secure sustainable growth and reliable returns. Landman underlined the importance of filtering reliable information from unreliable sources, particularly given the proliferation of data from social media. Through this partnership, SCB is reinforcing its ambition to become Thailand’s foremost wealth management provider while empowering clients to build long-term financial security. -Bangkok Post