International Business Desk Associate

About TSL Partners

TSL Partners is a law firm at the intersection of Japanese law and international business. We support overseas companies entering Japan and Japanese companies expanding abroad — providing legal, administrative, and strategic guidance across the full lifecycle of a transaction, including company incorporation, contract drafting, regulatory compliance, tax, visa and immigration, employment law, and cross-border transactions.

Our International Business Desk is a growing division dedicated to serving English-speaking clients navigating the Japanese legal and business landscape.

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About the Role

Our International Business Desk is expanding — and so is the demand. Inquiries are increasing, engagements are growing, and we need someone who can help us build and sustain the pipeline of international clients that drives this growth.

This is not a conventional role. You will be the primary English-speaking presence within a Japanese legal environment, working closely with our desk lead and attorneys to ensure international clients receive seamless, professional support from first contact through to case completion.

Your role will begin with a focus on outreach, content, and pipeline development — and will broaden significantly as you grow into the desk.

Please note: while your work will be conducted primarily in English, the broader workplace operates mainly in Japanese. We are looking for someone who embraces this dynamic and is motivated to develop their Japanese over time.

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What You Will Do

1. Content & Thought Leadership

Write and publish columns, LinkedIn articles, and social media content targeted at international businesses considering Japan — and Japanese companies expanding abroad. Leverage AI tools to maintain consistent, high-quality output.

2. Outreach & Relationship Building

Represent TSL Partners at networking events, engage with international chambers of commerce, and build connections with overseas law firms, VCs, and accelerators who may refer clients to us.

3. Enquiry Handling & Client Communication

Serve as the first point of contact for English-speaking enquiries. Qualify leads, gather context, and ensure a seamless handover to our desk lead for formal consultations.

4. Growing Into the Desk

Over time, as you deepen your understanding of our practice, you will take on greater involvement in client engagements — supporting proposals, coordinating with attorneys and external specialists, and contributing to end-to-end case management.

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Who We Are Looking For

Above all, we need a communicator who can write with clarity, engage with warmth, and represent TSL Partners with professionalism in an international context.

Requirements:

· Native or near-native English proficiency — written and spoken

· Strong writing skills across formats: business emails, social media, proposals

· Genuine curiosity about international business, law, and cross-cultural dynamics

· Self-directed and proactive — you take initiative without being told

· Comfortable operating in a small, fast-moving team with evolving responsibilities

· Background in communications, marketing, publishing, or international relations

· Based in or willing to relocate to Tokyo

Nice to Have:

· Business-level Japanese (JLPT N2 or above)

· Additional language skills (French, Arabic, Chinese, etc.)

· Experience with AI tools for content creation

· Familiarity with Japan's legal or startup ecosystem

· Experience with LinkedIn, B2B outreach, or international networking

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Compensation & Benefits

· Competitive salary

· Performance-based salary review and bonus

· Direct involvement in international legal practice from day one

· Real ownership in a growing, newly established division

· Clear path to broader responsibilities as the desk scales

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How to Apply

Please apply via LinkedIn with your resume and a brief note on why this role interests you. We review applications on a rolling basis and will be in touch with shortlisted candidates directly.

If you have any questions regarding the vacancy, please contact Shoko Kuge (www.linkedin.com/in/shoko-kuge ) at [email protected] .