Firms launch protest as Japan imposes LLP block

City law firms incensed at being frozen out of a new limited liability partnership (LLP) structure in Japan have sent a joint letter of protest to the president of Japan's Federation of Bar Associations (Nichibenren).Members of the Foreign Lawyers Association of Japan - including Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, and Linklaters - have also asked Law Society President David McIntosh to visit Tokyo following his Korea trip next month, to lobby for liberalisation of Japan's barriers against foreign lawyers.Of all the G7 countries, Japan is unique in the severe restrictions it imposes on foreign lawyers.Last week, foreign lawyers in Tokyo realised that the Nichibenren has tabled proposals to block foreign firms from adopting a new Japanese LLP structure by barring them from using foreign firms' names.Writing to the Nichibenren's president, the firms said: 'It is extremely regrettable from the viewpoint of due process that you gave us no notice with regard to the adoption of the regulations.'The letter went on to request an opportunity for the foreign firms to express their views.Mr McIntosh proposes to meet Justice Ministry counsellor Kurokawa - who is currently the focus of strenuous lobbying to unpick the Nichibenren's move.The UK Embassy has already received guarantees that Mr Kurokawa will seek an explanation and justification of the decision.The US Embassy and European Commission delegation in Tokyo are also making representations.See Editorial, page 16Jeremy Fleming