Despite its status as one of the world's most vibrant cities and the large numbers of international law firms and major corporations, Tokyo has not been a popular destination for Australian lawyers. This reticence on behalf of Australian lawyers to live and work in Tokyo is reflected by the fact that the first Australian firm to open an office and secure a licence to practice in the city was Blake Dawson last year.

"There is an increase in roles available for Australians with Japanese language skills in Japan, but typically Tokyo is not viewed as attractive as other Asian cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Lawyers have concerns that Japan is comparatively quite expensive and is not the obvious or well beaten path that Singapore or Hong Kong has on offer," says Karlie Connellan, an associate director - international with legal recruitment firm Taylor Root.

Despite other Asian destinations attracting more people, lawyers on the ground in Japan are enjoying their work. Blake Dawson senior associate Natsuko Ogawa has worked in Blake's Tokyo office since it opened last year - after cutting her teeth with the firm in Australia.

She says that by working in Japan she has had the unique opportunity to work with clients that include major financial institutions and trading houses, and would recommend Tokyo to any lawyers looking to hone their skills in a different market.

"For lawyers with some experience who are confident with their skill-set and in the way they hold themselves, working in Tokyo will expand your horizons and offer you a range of different opportunities from what is available in Australia," Ogawa says. "While speaking Japanese obviously helps, it is important to be a good lawyer first, with the language skills a bonus."

The good: Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world for eating, drinking, dancing and fashion. Almost all the major global law firms have an office in Tokyo

The bad: According to a 2010 survey by ECA International, a global human resources company, Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world. Japan has also recovered from the GFC at a slower rate than other Asian financial centres.The recent earthquake in Japan is also likely to have an impact on the number of foreign professionals looking to work in Tokyo and to severely test the mettle of the Japanese economy.

Realistic option? There is some demand for energy and resources and project finance lawyers, but other destinations in Asia offer more chance of work.

"The law firms are much bigger in Hong Kong, so there are more opportunities," says Marsden Group principal Jonathan Walmsley. "Hong Kong is a much easier place to be if you don't have language skills. While it is not essential, it makes life so much easier to have Japanese language skills in Tokyo."

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