Big_Four_law_firms_(Japan)
The Big Four law firms (四大法律事務所, yondai hōritsu jimusho) or the Big Four (四大, yondai) is a term informally used in Japan to refer to those firms which, collectively, are perceived to be the largest firms headquartered in Japan and distinguished in comparison to their other competitors. The Big Four firms are:[1][2]
Nowadays, the term "Big Five" is sometimes used to include the fifth-largest firm in Japan by number of lawyers, TMI Associates.[3]
On the other hand, overseas commentators have used "Big Five" to include Atsumi & Sakai[4].A 2023 overall ranking of Japanese law firms by Top Ranked Legal also rated Atsumi & Sakai fifth following Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Nishimura & Asahi, and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu.[5]
These are the leading law firms practicing corporate law and are considered to be the top tier of the legal industry in Japan.[6]