Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, one of Japan's biggest law firms, has announced plans to open new offices in Shanghai and Singapore this year in a bid to boost its international client base.

The local outfit, which is one of the country's 'Big Four' firms and which has a best friends relationship with magic circle firm Slaughter and May, will also launch a branch in Nagoya to boost its coverage in Japan.

Heading up the new China operation will be M&A partner Akira Moriwaki, who was previously chief representative at the firm's Beijing office and who practised in China from 1998 to 2007, working on China related business matters.

Though still waiting on approval from the Chinese Ministry of Justice, the firm has confirmed plans to tap the Japan-China market.

In Singapore, corporate and disputes partner Ko Hanamizu has been appointed to head the base, with the firm eyeing new business and to support existing Japanese clients growing their presence in South East Asia.

Partner Yoshinori Aoyagi will meanwhile oversee the Nagoya office, which is intended to be a full service offering for existing and new Japanese clients.

Anderson Mori currently has offices in Tokyo and Beijing, with core practice areas including capital markets, M&A and finance; disputes, IP, real estate and employment.

The 310-lawyer firm is among a number of Japanese outfits seeking to expand its business internationally, and the last of the big four to set up shop in Singapore.

Competitor firms Nishimura & Asahi and Mori Hamada & Matsumoto opened in the Asian city state in 2012, whilst Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu followed suit in January this year.

As for other international offices, Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu also has a base in New York, whilst Nishimura & Asahi has a presence in Vietnam and the Chinese capital.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has offices in Beijing and Shanghai.