Herbert Smith Freehills has advised Yahoo! JAPAN on its joint venture with global travel search engine Skyscanner Ltd to expand both companies' penetration of the lucrative Japanese travel search market.

Skyscanner attracts over 40 million users every month and will share its search engine technology with Yahoo! JAPAN, in turn gaining access to Yahoo! JAPAN's audience – which currently attracts over 80 million daily users, generating some 60 billion pages views per month.

Tokyo partners Graeme Preston and Damien Roberts advised Yahoo! JAPAN, assisted by associate Elisa Hayashi, on the joint venture agreement and technology, licence and other related agreements.

"This is an exciting development for both companies, and it was a pleasure to assist Yahoo! JAPAN," said Graeme. "Technology investment has risen around the globe, and Japanese companies are skilled and discerning outbound acquirers of key technologies, online platforms and tech providers in overseas markets."

"Our Tokyo team has particular expertise in Japanese technology transactions and disputes, advising major technology companies such as Softbank, NEC and Sega, as well as Japanese trading houses and industrials on their technology operations and acquisitions."

"This experience, coupled with access to our firm's global network for seamless service on international acquisitions and disputes, allows us to work on time-critical transactions in this very dynamic sector."

"Our bilingual capability was also critical in communicating and delivering efficiently and effectively for Yahoo! JAPAN – both Damien and Elisa are fluent Japanese speakers."