TSL Partners Strengthens Support for Japanese Firms Entering Europe Through Alliance with Briddge Legal & Finance

TSL Partners Enhances Support for Japanese Companies in Europe

On June 19, 2026, TSL Partners, a Tokyo-based law firm, signed a memorandum of understanding with Briddge Legal & Finance, a legal and financial advisory firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This collaboration aims to streamline cross-border operations and support for Japanese companies entering the European market as well as European firms seeking to expand into Japan.

Background of the Collaboration

In recent years, Japanese businesses have shown a growing interest in the European market, going beyond mere sales presence to establish local subsidiaries, manage local hiring, payroll, and ensure tax compliance. Conversely, European enterprises and entrepreneurs increasingly recognize Japan as a critical market in their Asia strategies, leading to a higher demand for local compliance and legal services related to corporate establishment, permits, employment, and contracts.

The challenges faced by clients often stem from the fragmentation between the two countries' systems, which heightens the burden of coordination for clients. TSL Partners and Briddge have agreed to address these issues by providing a unified support system that facilitates smoother communication between the two firms.

Details of the Collaboration

Under the terms of the memorandum, TSL Partners and Briddge will engage in a variety of initiatives, including:
1. Client Introductions and Project Coordination: Sharing clients that require services in both Japan and Europe.
2. Knowledge Sharing: Providing insights and practical know-how related to cross-border projects.
3. Joint Marketing Activities: Organizing seminars, webinars, and collaborative reports to promote shared knowledge and services.
4. Participation in Business Events: Jointly attending business matching events and startup events in both regions.

It is important to note that this partnership adheres to the qualification systems of each jurisdiction, with both parties operating as independent entities responsible for their respective services without any exchange of economic benefits between them.

Areas of Support

The agreement covers all types of cross-border projects between Japan and Europe. In Japanese market entry, TSL Partners will serve as the contact point, managing tasks like establishing corporations or limited liability companies, setting up branches or representative offices, creating employment contracts and work regulations, receiving foreign talent, fundraising, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property matters. For other professional services such as accounting, tax, payroll, and residency qualifications, TSL Partners collaborates with specialized experts to provide a seamless experience without clients needing to search for separate points of contact.

For projects involving entry into Europe, Briddge will serve as the local point of contact, handling the establishment of corporations in EU countries like the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with local regulations, commercial contracts, employment law, payroll, human resources, work visas, Employer of Record (EOR) services, corporate tax filings, VAT compliance, and financial reporting.

For international contracts, data protection (including GDPR compliance), international intellectual property strategy, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, both firms will work together to address the issues that span both legal jurisdictions and will collaboratively establish the most efficient and less burdensome coordination system for clients.

Comments from Leadership

Hirohide Nakagawa, the representative lawyer of TSL Partners, stated, "In inquiries about overseas expansion, issues often extend beyond legal matters to include hiring, payroll, and taxation—essentially the operational phase after entering a new market. Briddge is one of the few partners in Europe that can comprehensively address these issues, and we are committed to creating a structure that minimizes clients' time spent managing inter-country coordination."

Jurren de Groot, a partner at Briddge Legal & Finance, explained, "Our partnership with TSL is founded on a shared purpose of simplifying business operations between Japan and Europe. Japanese companies considering expansion in Europe can first consult with trusted advisors in Japan and once their plans crystallize, they can seamlessly transition to working with Briddge."

Future Developments

Both firms plan to co-host seminars and webinars focused on cross-border practices and publish joint reports. In October 2026, a partner from Briddge is scheduled to visit Japan again to further discuss ongoing and future collaborative efforts.

About Briddge Legal & Finance

Established in 2011, Briddge Legal & Finance is based in Amsterdam, with branches in Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, London, and Los Angeles. The firm provides one-stop legal, tax, accounting, payroll, human resources, immigration services, and EOR solutions, with over 90 specialists assisting non-European enterprises with their operations in Europe.

Website: Briddge Legal & Finance

About TSL Partners

Areas of Expertise

- For Individuals: Claims for infidelity compensation, divorce, criminal cases, traffic accidents, inheritance, and debt restructuring.
- For Corporations: Contract law, IT business law, labor issues, M&A, dispute resolution, international law (support for Japanese companies expanding abroad and foreign companies entering Japan), debt collection, and removal of defamation online.

Vision of TSL Partners

"UPDATE JAPAN." TSL Partners was established to contribute to updating Japan by redefining the role of legal professionals in a changing landscape. We believe that addressing the individual problems of each person and working collaboratively to find solutions will lead to more vibrant lives and ultimately contribute to the betterment of this country.

Firm Name: Tokyo Startup Law Firm (abbr: TSL, English: Tokyo Startup Law Firm)
Established: September 2018
Representative: Lawyer Hirohide Nakagawa (Member of the Tokyo Bar Association)
Head Office: 1-13-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Hirulic Ginza 1-chome Building 7th floor
Number of Lawyers: 43
Number of Branches: 29 nationwide
Business Services: Legal services for startups and growth companies, general corporate legal advice, international business (support for foreign companies entering Japan and Japanese companies going overseas)