Under the terms of the deal, Polestar will offer its skills and technology to aid the development of Vanfu's nascent print management business, Synergy Communications.

Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert said: "This agreement gives us the opportunity to extend our reach and range for our existing clients, as well as gain from the successful development of a new print management market.

"The research and technology that Synergy Communications has invested in make for a powerful offering and we look forward to being part of the growth of print management in Japan."

The strategic alliance will lead to Polestar's HTTprint software being rolled out in Japan, benefiting multi-national users with requirements in the Far East.

Hibbert said: "For our clients who operate within specialist markets and those already using the HTTprint system, the ability to have access to the same software and services in Japan will allow them to benefit from the same high levels of service and quality, with brand consistency and integrity assured."

Vanfu, which has around 20 high street print and copy centres in Tokyo, with more than 500 employees, has reportedly been reviewing opportunities within the European market for some time.

Shensuke Inukai, founder and president of £85m-turnover Vanfu, said: "Following several research trips to Europe, we had confidence in Polestar as our partner to help successfully deliver a world class print management offering to the Japanese market and look forward to working together on this initiative."