Advertise on podcast: Lawyer on Air

Guest Host Yoko Oshima leads this episode’s interview with host Catherine O’Connell as Lawyer on Air reaches the milestone of 5 years on air and 100 guests. Catherine shares her remarkable journey from a shy New Zealand teenager to an award-winning lawyer, podcast host, and board member at companies like Toyota and Fujitsu. You will hear about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, and why she believes courage must come before confidence. If you love listening to LOA and want to know more about Catherine, this is the episode for you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Catherine's childhood curiosity and shyness coexist with the confidence she's built over decades in Japan The Japanese lawyers who inspired her career transition and the mentor who saw her potential before she did Why she's stayed in Japan for 23 years despite initially planning “max two years”, and the concept of "strategic patience" The high-stakes investigation moment when Catherine realised that THIS was why she became a lawyer Her favourite restaurant and other fun facts  About Catherine Catherine O’Connell is a bilingual New Zealand lawyer and the Principal & Founder of Catherine O’Connell Law, the first foreign female–founded law firm in Tokyo. An award-winning practitioner, she has been recognised as Foreign Lawyer of the Year (2022), Boutique Law Firm of the Year (2023), and Entrepreneur of the Year (2020) for her leadership and innovation. Catherine served as an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of Toyota Motor Corporation (2023–2025) and currently serves as an Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of Fujitsu Limited (since 2022). Through these appointments she became the first non-Japanese female in Japanese corporate history to serve in such roles on these two blue-chip corporate boards. Her governance work is defined by cross-cultural fluency, bilingual communication, and a capacity to translate complex legal, compliance, and risk issues into clear board-level insight. Drawing on more than 20 years’ experience in senior in-house legal counsel roles at Molex, Panasonic, Olympus, Mitsubishi Motors, alongside private practice experience at Hogan Lovells, and Anderson Lloyd, Catherine now advises boards, CEOs, and C-suite executives on governance, cross-border leadership, and boardroom mindset. Her C-suite mentoring programmes help executives understand how boards think and decide, enabling stronger alignment and strategic clarity. Catherine hosts the award-winning Lawyer on Air podcast and co-hosts Jandals in Japan, celebrating cross-border success stories. She is Vice-Chair Emerita of the Australia & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Co-Chair of the Legal Services & IP Committee at the ACCJ, and Past President and Advisory Board Member of Women in Law Japan. Connect with Yoko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoko-oshima-36a7396/  Links Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya  Unpausable play list: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3aCekQmbR0CYMxzdkhzFqN?si=BrfZXnH_Soq8SIazs5M_AQ Wakanui Restaurant: https://www.wakanui.jp/grill_dining_bar_tokyo/en/index.html  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

"I thought you didn't want to be a partner" - Maya Ito heard these stunning words at a meeting to discuss her firm’s view that her lack of career progression at Big Four law firm Nishimura & Asahi, was simply because she had children. Plot spoiler: she's now a partner at that same firm, she’s leading cross-border project finance deals, and all the while, she’s running an almost entirely female team. Maya shares a deeply personal story of utter loss that forever changed how she approaches every single day of her life, reveals the Japanese warrior philosophy that defines her service to clients, and also explains why monthly team lunches replaced late-night drinking sessions. If you are looking up at senior partners wondering how they got there, or simply want to know what it really takes to sustain a career in Big Law while living with no regrets, grab your headphones and get ready to get to know Maya Ito in a way you never have before. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Parental expectations that shaped her legal career and how she overcame them A profound personal loss that became a turning point that guides her actions every day The "kagemusha" philosophy of lawyering as a shadow ally  How Maya runs her all female team and makes time for her own life too Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts  About Maya Maya Ito is a partner at Nishimura & Asahi. She has extensive expertise in cross-border project financing for various natural resources, power projects, and other infrastructure projects. Her experience also extends to areas such as compliance, cross-border financial transactions, cross-border corporate transactions, and other general corporate matters. Maya has extensive experience advising international investors on cross-border renewable energy projects, as well as advising both borrowers and lenders on financing for renewable energy projects in Japan. She previously worked in the cross-border project finance team of a Japanese megabank, handling matters relating to natural resources, power and energy, and infrastructure. Maya has also provided banks, financial institutions, and other corporate clients, most of which operate their businesses globally, with compliance and regulatory advice, as well as advice on a variety of governance matters. She is actively involved in D&I projects aimed at promoting the active participation of women, and has organized numerous D&I seminars and other similar events for corporations. She is also actively involved in Climate Change related projects and has organized Climate Change seminars and events. In her free time Maya likes to play golf and she usually plays golf with her colleagues, clients and her family. Maya also has two cute toy poodles (Tarao and Ikura).  The poodles’ names come from a famous Japanese Anime, “Sazae-san” and they give Maya a sense of “iyashi” (癒し) meaning “soothing and solace”. Connect with Maya  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maya-ito-278b1863/  Links Kagemusha: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagemusha  Ikikata Book: https://amzn.asia/d/ew7DMGc 　　 Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Liting Cong is Legal Counsel at ASICS, one of Japan’s most successful sportswear companies. Liting shares her journey through the lens of Japanese aesthetics, particularly the concept of wabi-sabi or embracing imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. If you're considering an in-house career in Japan, curious about human-centric AI, or looking for wisdom on embracing life's uncertainties, you will enjoy the metaphor Liting shares about building a beautiful garden. More on that inside this episode!  If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Japanese martial arts and dance became a source of peace and resilience during challenging times The evolution of in-house counsel roles beyond gatekeeping and contract review Practical strategies for unlearning perfectionism that Liting uses herself at work Why ideation is a lawyer's secret weapon in the age of AI Liting’s favourite book and other fun facts  About Liting Liting Cong is a Legal Counsel at ASICS Corporation, where she leads global privacy, AI governance, and digital initiatives in the Legal Department. She graduated from Grinnell College in 2011, and University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2014. She was admitted to the bar in Ontario in 2015, and in New York in 2019. Before relocating to Japan, Liting gained diverse international experience at King & Wood in Shanghai, Shin & Kim in Seoul, and Stikeman & Elliott in Toronto, and started her own practice as a sole practitioner in Toronto. In addition to her legal credentials, Liting is a data protection professional with multiple certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) for European privacy (CIPP/E), privacy program management (CIPM), and artificial intelligence governance (AIGP).  With over a decade of experience living and working in Canada and Japan, Liting brings not only legal expertise but also fluency in the languages--English, Chinese, and Japanese--and a deep understanding of cross-cultural business environments.  In 2018, as an avid fan of Japanese arts and culture since childhood, Liting relocated to Japan. She joined Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation in Osaka as Legal Counsel, and later SymBio Pharmaceuticals Limited in Tokyo as Legal Manager. In 2023, Liting joined ASICS Corporation in its global headquarters in Kobe. She now serves as the lead in global privacy and AI governance and managing ASICS’ digital initiatives across the globe.  Liting lives in Osaka with her husband and a cat who enjoys making cameos in Teams calls and supervising all her legal work.   Connect with Liting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/litingcong/  Links Gokan: https://patisserie-gokan.co.jp/item/  The Cultural Map by Erin Meyer https://amzn.asia/d/9w9muCI  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Yu Watanabe is General Counsel at Airbnb Japan, where he has spent over 10 years building one of the most respected in-house legal teams in the country. From training at Freshfields to navigating the world of tech startups at DeNA, and ultimately joining Airbnb, Yu's career embodies the power of taking calculated risks and listening to the right mentors. This episode is rich with wisdom about mentorship, community involvement, and finding success by focusing completely on serving your clients. If you are wondering how Yu stands out as such a star in the world of Tokyo Law, this is the episode for you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How a childhood visit to a law firm in Osaka inspired Yu to pursue law and become a "superhero" helping people The critical decision to join Airbnb Japan in 2015 when almost everyone advised against it Why Yu approaches legal work with hospitality at its core  The transformative moment in Yu’s career and why someone is always watching your effort His favourite book and other fun facts  About Yu Yuichiro Watanabe is a Director of the Japan In‑House Lawyers Association (JILA) while taking a role of Lead Counsel at Airbnb Japan, and since January 2025 serves as a board director of Airbnb Japan K.K. He joined Airbnb in 2015 as the company’s third lawyer in Asia, following roles with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and DeNA. Recognized with eight honors across six consecutive years at the ALB Japan Law Awards in his thirties, including being the youngest recipient of In‑House Lawyer of the Year, Yu has also led a team named Diversity & Inclusion: In‑House Team of the Year at the Chambers Asia‑Pacific and Greater China Region Awards 2024 and has been selected for The Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Japan. He also contributes to policy and standards work through committees at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Digital Agency, and ISO/TC262 for risk management.  He has walked a non-traditional career path in Japan, where in-house lawyers were still rare at the time. Through various failures and struggles within organizations, he has gained lessons that shaped his professional journey — and he carries a deep commitment to turning those personal setbacks into guidance for others. Admitted to the Japan Bar in 2009, he holds a J.D. from the School of Law at the University of Tokyo, and is the author of 「リーガルリスクマネジメントの教科書」 (The Textbook of Legal Risk Management, Nihon Kajoshuppan, 2023) and 「組織内弁護士の教科書」 (The Textbook for In-House Lawyers, forthcoming, Nihon Kajoshuppan, October 2025). Including these and his earlier two publications, his four-volume series has achieved an extraordinary circulation of 15,000 copies in Japan. In his personal life, he enjoys traditional Kabuki theatre and traveling. Connect with Yu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wtnby/  Links Hotel New Otani https://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/   JILA: https://jila.jp/    Blog: https://inhouselaw.org/inhouse/  Peter Thiel, Zero to One : https://amzn.asia/d/43FV5e7  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Sayaka Matsui is General Counsel and Representative Executive Officer at Unilever Japan. Sayaka shares how she unlearned something that she thought was helping her to do better. When she did that amazing things happened and she reached new career heights as well as achieving personal goals too. If you are wondering if your career path is “on track” or you are struggling with self criticism, this episode is for you! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How reading a children's story-book version of Merchant of Venice at age 10 sparked Sayaka's interest in law Sayaka’s transition from private practice to corporate planning and eventually to General Counsel The transformative impact of spending two years in the United States  How Sayaka unlearned her habit of nightly self-criticism and embraced vulnerability  About Sayaka Sayaka Matsui is the Representative Executive Officer and General Counsel of Unilever Japan Holdings G.K., where she leads legal, compliance, and risk management for one of the world’s most recognised global brands. Before joining Unilever in 2019, she held legal roles at Credit Saison, Waseda Legal Commons Law Office, Daizawa Law Office, and Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. Sayaka also spent a year as a Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, broadening her global perspective on law and social impact. She is deeply committed to the next generation of legal talent, providing programs to law schools and judicial apprentices to promote understanding of in-house legal work, and in 2025, she was appointed as a member of MEXT’s advisory committee on law schools. Sayaka holds a J.D. (Professional) and LL.B. from Waseda University. In her spare time, she loves watching international TV dramas and learning foreign languages. Connect with Sayaka LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayaka-matsui-881a61188/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Midori Yamaguchi is a Senior Associate at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Tokyo whose career spans Singapore, the US, and Japan. We hear about her two-year secondment to METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), where she was the only lawyer on the legislation drafting team where she helped create Japan's new pre-insolvency regime - literally dreaming about the law every night. If you're contemplating a step off the well trodden career path of private practice, and think it’s not possible to come back on track, or if you are seeking inspiration, this episode is for you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Midori's father shaped her values of fairness and honesty The pivotal role of taking opportunities based on enjoyment rather than fear Powerful lessons from working across Singapore, the US, and Japan Practical strategies for building visibility in Japan's humble culture, including why putting your skills on display, isn't self-promotion  About Midori Midori Yamaguchi is a Senior Associate at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in Tokyo, where she specialises in restructuring and insolvency as well as dispute resolution. She is qualified in both Japan and New York. Her practice has a strong cross-border focus: she has worked in the firm’s Singapore office, spent time at a U.S. law firm, and completed an LL.M. at New York University. Most recently, she concluded a secondment at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, where she was involved in drafting legislation to introduce a new pre-insolvency regime. Recognised in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Japan for Arbitration and Mediation in 2022, she is regarded as a rising expert in international legal matters. She actively contributes to the international restructuring and insolvency community through her regular publications and involvement with leading global organisations, including INSOL International as an INSOL Fellow, the International Insolvency Institute (III) as a NextGen member, the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the Insolvency Section of the International Bar Association (IBA), and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). She has an LL.B. from Hitotsubashi University and J.D. from Hitotsubashi Law School. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling abroad, scuba diving, and exploring Tokyo’s traditional public bathhouses. Connect with Midori LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/midori-yamaguchi-3364a3222/   Firm: https://www.morihamada.com/en/people/midori-yamaguchi Links Ginza Music Bar: https://ginzamusicbar.com/  METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: https://www.meti.go.jp/english/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Yoshie Midorikawa is an inspiring international dispute resolution lawyer and a Co-founding Partner at Miura & Partners who has built a remarkable career on her own terms. From initially refusing to use English to becoming a leading voice in cross-border litigation - using English -, Yoshie shares her unconventional journey with refreshing honesty and humour. Discover how this avid reader of detective stories transformed her love of mysteries into a successful legal career, why saying "no" at the start proved pivotal, and how she helped establish a law firm with over 30% female partners - a rarity in Japan. Whether you are an aspiring lawyer, seeking board positions, or simply curious about building an authentic career in a traditional culture, this episode offers practical wisdom wrapped in warmth and wit. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Yoshie's surprising declaration against using English that later reversed completely Why having 30% women in leadership transforms workplace dynamics and how Yoshie helped create this at her firm The importance of switching from detail-focused analysis to big-picture thinking for board roles Her favourite books and other fun facts  About Yoshie Yoshie Midorikawa is a co-founding partner of Miura & Partners and has led the firm’s international dispute resolution practice since its launch in 2019. Since her admission to the bar in 2007, she has advised on a broad range of dispute resolution matters, with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes. In addition to her practice as external counsel, Yoshie serves as an independent director on the boards of several listed Japanese companies across industries including consulting, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and real estate. Her board experience enhances her ability to deliver commercially grounded, practical legal solutions tailored to business realities.  Yoshie has been recognised as Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2025. She is also ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Dispute Resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific since 2023, currently shortlisted as Japan Female Lawyer of the Year by asialaw Awards 2025, and is recognised by Best Lawyers in Japan for her work in Litigation, International Arbitration, and Corporate Governance and Compliance. She actively contributes to the legal community through regular publications and speaking engagements, particularly on Japanese law and cross-border dispute resolution including third-party litigation funding. Admitted to practice in Japan and New York, Yoshie is a Council Member of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA), and serves on the panel of arbitrators at the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), and the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC). She holds a J.D. from the University of Tokyo School of Law and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School. Outside of her legal work, Yoshie enjoys spending time with her family and finding balance through yoga. She recently acquired the skills to sew dresses based on her daughter’s drawings, which she finds very rewarding. She is also a devoted fan of US and UK courtroom and intelligence dramas. Her passion for solving puzzles dates back to her school days, when she was an avid reader of detective stories. Connect with Yoshie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoshie-midorikawa-7663aa83/  Links Le Marquis: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/dining/marquis/  Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do: https://amzn.asia/d/bj7iR6Q  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

What happens when a lawyer decides success isn't about climbing the ladder, but about creating freedom? Join Catherine as she talks with Mika Fukutomi, who traded her career at top-tier international law firms for entrepreneurship - and built an app to solve one of Japan's biggest business succession challenges: who will maintain the SMEs in Japan with aging leaders and no successors. If you are curious about how legal skills translate into unexpected entrepreneurial ventures then this is the episode for you.  If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Mika moved from private practice to in-house to business roles to entrepreneurship without a dramatic leap (and why that matters) Vibe coding for lawyers - The surprising truth about how anyone can build an app using AI, even without coding knowledge Why critical thinking remains invaluable outside traditional practice, and how Mika uses it as her super power Redefining success on your own terms  About Mika Mika Fukutomi is an investor, educator, and consultant specializing in Japan’s private markets. Blending her legal background with an entrepreneurial spirit, she recently launched Akamira.ai, a platform designed to bring transparency to Japan’s often-hidden SME sector. As Managing Partner of INV Japan, she pioneers new ways for global investors and entrepreneurs to engage with Japan’s business ecosystem. Before founding her investment and advisory businesses, Mika trained and practiced law at Clifford Chance and White & Case, and qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales. She later held senior leadership positions at Deutsche Bank and MetLife, serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO and Corporate Secretary, where she gained deep experience in governance and corporate leadership. With decades of combined experience in law, investment banking, and entrepreneurship, Mika’s career reflects how a legal foundation can serve as a powerful springboard into new industries. Her expertise spans angel investing, private equity, real estate, SME M&A, and corporate governance. She is also a graduate of the Board Director Training Institute (BDTI), underscoring her commitment to governance excellence. Mika’s passion lies in helping others pursue their purpose. Through her work at INV Japan and her educational initiatives, she shows how building on a legal background can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career pathways. Mika loves being in nature with her dog and planning trips to meet up with her son and his girlfriend. Connect with Mika LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikafukutomi/  Links Akamira App: https://akamira.ai/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. Akemi joins us for an honest conversation about career pivots, personal challenges, and finding your own path in the legal profession. From walking an hour to elementary school in rural Gunma to becoming a respected M&A and data privacy expert in Tokyo, Akemi shares the unexpected turns that shaped her career.  This episode is perfect for lawyers at any stage who want to hear authentic stories about building a meaningful career while staying true to yourself. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Why Akemi nearly turned down partner track due to family planning fears, and the conversation that changed everything How a simple word from an in-house boss revolutionised her understanding of what clients really want How having children forced a career pivot that ultimately expanded her expertise and made her more valuable Why being called "old-fashioned" became a badge of honour and a lesson in embracing diverse perspectives About Akemi Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. She has 25 years of experience representing Japanese and international companies in a wide range of complex cross-border transactions. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s technology, data and start-up practice team and advises multinational clients on various data privacy and data governance matters. She is a two-time winner of the Woman Lawyer of the Year award from the ALB Law Awards, and has received many other professional accolades. In addition to her extensive client work, Akemi is passionate about initiatives addressing societal issues, such as mental well-being and equity & inclusion. Akemi has served as the firm’s DE&I committee for six years and now leads the firm’s pro bono efforts. Connect with Akemi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akemi-suzuki-graham/  Links Wellness App mentioned by Catherine: “Insight Timer” https://insighttimer.com/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Meet Mina Hoshizawa, a dynamic in-house legal counsel who has built her career on adaptability and genuine connection. Now leading legal and compliance functions at Nihon Servier, she shares candid insights about unlearning perfectionism, embracing vulnerability as a leadership strength, and why being fluid like water has been her career superpower. If you are considering the transition to an in-house position or thinking you might skip the law firm experience and focus on in-house, this is the episode for you.  If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Why even practical motivations can lead to passionate careers The art of "unlearning" from private practice what lawyers must focus on to win at in-house roles  Her vulnerable leadership approach and what she often says to her team Practical strategies for establishing legal functions from zero  Where to look for opportunities if you intend to skip the law firm experience About Mina Mina Hoshizawa is Head of Legal and Compliance at Servier in Japan, sitting on the Leadership Team. Before joining Servier, she belonged to Bayer in Japan and served as Compliance Manager for the entire company and as Legal Manager for its Consumer Health Business and Crop Science Business. Mina is a qualified Japanese bengoshi (attorney), and before joining Bayer, she worked at Freshfields’ Tokyo office. She is the leader of a working group of the Governance and Legal Committee of The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). She was selected as LexisNexis® UNDER 40 2024, Japan Rising Star 2024 by GC Powerlist Legal 500, and became the first JILA In-house award winner in the Compliance category in Individual Awards 2023. In her free time Mina likes to play badminton with her daughter.  Connect with Mina  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mina-hoshizawa-76ab01262/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano is the first female Philippine Ambassador to Japan and has carved a path from corporate law through politics to international diplomacy. Ambassador Garcia-Albano shares how her family's legal legacy, a pivotal pro bono case that led to a murder exoneration, and her philosophy of "doing your best in everything" propelled her through nine years in Congress in the Philippines, to representing 340,000 Filipino citizens living and working in Japan. Ambassador Garcia-Albano explains how legal training provides the perfect foundation for diplomatic success. Listen in to hear the differences between being a corporate lawyer and diplomatic work. ** A special thanks to our Season 2 Ep 9 guest Lani Vinas for introducing us to Ambassador Garcia-Albano.  If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you will hear: The power of pro bono legal work - How a murder exoneration case as a young lawyer validated Garcia-Albano's career path  Strategic career transitions - Why she views her journey from law to politics to diplomacy as "natural progression" rather than reinvention Breaking diplomatic barriers - Her experience as the first female Philippine Ambassador to Japan and debunking myths about women needing to "lead like men" Innovative embassy operations - Inside the world's largest Philippine Embassy, from mobile consular vans to online voting pilots across Japan and three Pacific nations About Ambassador Garcia-Albano Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano is a seasoned public servant and lawyer with a distinguished career in government.  Appointed in 2022 as the Philippine Ambassador to Japan, she brings with her decades of experience in public service, law, and legislative leadership.  A trailblazer from the start, she ranked 3rd in the 1990 Philippine Bar Examinations and was the first female president of the Ateneo Law School Student Government. She served three consecutive terms as Congresswoman for Davao City's 2nd District, where she held key leadership positions, including Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. Her earlier roles span the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of Senator Mar Roxas, and various legal and administrative posts.  Ambassador Garcia-Albano holds degrees from The George Washington University and Marymount College in the U.S., and is married to the Governor of Isabela, Rodolfo T. Albano III. They have one son.  Ambassador Garcia-Albano enjoys exploring new places, cuisines, and cultures through travel. She loves to read, particularly mystery novels. In her free time, she cherishes moments spent with her family. Links Philippines Embassy Japan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PHLinJapan/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Meet Olga Belosludova, a trailblazing attorney who made history as the first Russian woman to pass the notoriously difficult Japanese bar exam. Born in Siberia, she came to Japan with her family at age two. Olga's journey from a competitive childhood dream to becoming a qualified lawyer in three jurisdictions is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story offers invaluable insights into navigating Japan's legal landscape as a foreign professional, the importance of visibility in service, and practical strategies for building a successful international legal career. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Olga conquered the Japanese “Yobi” exam which only 4% of examinees pass Her strategies for overcoming assumptions about foreign lawyers with Japanese credentials Her secret dual-goal system for avoiding burnout  Her view that  speaking Japanese is crucial and why internal translators outperform external ones About Olga Olga Belosludova is an accomplished international attorney admitted to practice law in Japan, California, and New York. Currently, she is based in Japan, where she has lived since age two. Olga brings a unique bicultural perspective to complex cross-border legal matters. As an attorney at a prestigious international law firm constantly ranking in AM Law 20, she has built an impressive practice serving Fortune 100 companies across a wide range of high-stakes transactions and disputes. Fluent in both Japanese and English, Olga has become a trusted advisor to foreign companies navigating Japan's business landscape. Her expertise spans cross-border mergers and acquisitions, complex internal investigations, international arbitrations, and privacy and data security compliance for multinational corporations. She also counsels international banks and investment funds on investment and loan transactions involving Japanese entities, leveraging her deep understanding of both legal systems and cultural nuances. Olga’s risk management expertise is particularly noteworthy—she has led over 20 internal investigations across various industries, handling everything from routine compliance matters to high-profile misconduct cases. Her approach focuses not just on resolving immediate issues, but also on strengthening organizational health and resilience for the long term. During her time at the firm’s New York office from August 2023 to June 2024, she further expanded her expertise in JAMS arbitration and US litigation. The Legal 500 recognised Olga as a “Rising Star” in its Fintech division in 2023, highlighting her emerging leadership in the intersection of law and financial technology.  Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Olga had been dancing as a ballroom dancer for more than 15 years, ultimately competing as a professional standard ballroom dancer between 2018 and 2020. After the COVID pandemic, in her free time, Olga enjoys spending her time with her family, especially playing with her three-year-old daughter. Whether she is reading books, drawing, or just playing outside, those moments mean the most to Olga. As a new challenge, Olga also began golfing last year. Connect with Olga  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-belosludova-744758287/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Yoko Oshima is Associate General Counsel of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Japan. In this inspiring episode that spans continents, cultures, and cutting-edge technology, Yoko's journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership, purposeful career building, embracing opportunity and seeking support. Yoko shares powerful insights on adaptive leadership, the importance of being true to your values, and why seeking support is actually a sign of strength, not vulnerability. Whether you're navigating cultural shifts in your career, looking to embrace emerging technology, or seeking to lead with authenticity, Yoko's wisdom will resonate long after the episode ends. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How she overcame the cultural shift from being "blessed with opportunities" in Japan to proactively raising her hand in competitive New York law firms Why she turned down a permanent leadership role twice, and the crucial lesson this taught her about embracing opportunity The innovative approach to helping legal teams adopt AI and why AI is like training a new associate Her favourite books and other fun facts  About Yoko Yoko is Associate General Counsel of Microsoft and leads its Corporate, External Affairs in Japan. Before joining Microsoft in May 2021. she was with General Electric and her last role before the departure was the general counsel of GE Japan and GE Digital Asia.  Before going in-house, she was in private practice, with Anderson Mori in Tokyo (first half) and Clearly Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton LLP in New York (second half).  She is qualified in Japan and the State of New York, USA.  She has an LLB from Hitotsubashi University, a Master of Law from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics and an LLM from Harvard Law School.  Committed to diversity and inclusion and the social impact, she is a board member of Lawyers for LGBT and Allies Network in Japan and a statutory auditor of Earth Company.  She recharges through art, music, nature and family and friends. Connect with Yoko  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoko-oshima-36a7396/  Links Adaptive Leadership: https://hbr.org/2020/09/5-principles-to-guide-adaptive-leadership   Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith: https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/tools-and-weapons/  The Culture Map, Erin Meyers: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Alexander Dmitrenko is the Managing Partner of Ashurst’s Tokyo office and a dear friend Catherine has been wanting to introduce to the Lawyer on Air listeners. Get ready to hear how you can be successful in Japan and being a good person is on top of the list. If you are wondering about the culture and lifestyle of working at a firm such as Ashurst, make sure you catch this episode.  If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Alexander’s upbringing in the USSR influenced his career choice in the law How the transition from New York private practice to Japanese in house changed him Becoming Managing Partner and tips for the recruitment process His favourite restaurant and other fun facts  About Alexander Alexander Dmitrenko is a partner in Ashurst’s Tokyo dispute resolution practice group. He has nearly 20 years of experience specialising in compliance matters, internal investigations, and dispute resolution. He has substantial experience advising Asian and other companies on matters related to sanctions and export controls, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, cyber security and cyber fraud, ESG and forced labour and other compliance  related laws and regulations. Alexander has gained particular expertise and client praise for his pragmatic approach to establishing compliance policies and procedures, undertaking due diligence exercises and conducting internal and regulatory investigations. Alexander has conducted over a dozen sensitive internal and regulatory investigations covering allegations of bribery, accounting misconduct, internal violations, harassment and product liability in such jurisdictions as China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russia, United States and Vietnam. Alexander also advises financial institutions and other companies on compliance and risk mitigation measures related to US-China regulatory tensions and potential conflict of laws. He has particular expertise with airspace and the airline industry through his extensive work for Changi Airports International and on Sojitz' airport projects in Russia and Myanmar. He is a member of our firm's specialized Sanctions as well as Corporate Crime groups. Given his unique skillset and expertise, he has been advising on various sanctions targeting Russia, from legal, regulatory and practical perspectives. Alexander teaches, lectures and publishes extensively on various compliance-related topics. He chairs the Japan Subcommittee of Temple Law School’s Center for Compliance and Ethics. He is an active member of the NPO community in Japan, particularly through his leadership at LLAN and TELL. Alexander leads our firm’s pro bono efforts to provide legal and other assistance to Ukrainian evacuees. He is a true diversity & inclusion champion. Alexander is also a proud honorary Ambassador for the beautiful island of Hachijojima. Alexander is qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, Russia, and is a registered foreign lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) in Japan. He speaks English, French, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, including his dog Mykola (Miki), learning Japanese to which he devotes 45-60 minutes each day, spending time on Hachijojima, including gardening (he even grew a square watermelon a few years ago), tennis, yoga and his latest hobby is sanshin on which he performed at Tama Parthenon during a special fundraising concert for Tohoko & Ukraine. Connect with Alexander  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-dmitrenko/  Links Two Rooms: https://tworooms.jp/en/  Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Tomoko Nakajima is not just any partner at Freshfields, she is an absolute trailblazer in the legal profession in Japan. You will hear how Tomoko tutored herself to pass the bar without attending law school and overcame deeply entrenched Japanese cultural “norms” with her courage and willingness to speak up and ask questions. Tomoko shares what it was like to be part of the historical Kansai Airport deal, and how she eventually became a partner at Freshfields. Along the way, Tomoko was challenged to stick up for herself and for her values, revealing her superpower. Her story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the impact of making bold decisions. Hear Tomoko as you’ve never heard before in this riveting episode! If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Tomoko passed the Japanese bar without attending law school How she made a positive impact on one of the biggest infrastructure transactions in Japanese history The ultimatum she gave her firm when they did not offer her a partnership (yes, she did that!) Her legal superpower and other great insights About Tomoko Tomoko Nakajima is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and head of Japan’s M&A practice.  Tomoko has more than two decades of experience in M&A becoming an M&A expert. Her approach to M&A is international combined with a deep knowledge of the Japanese market. Tomoko truly understands the challenges Japanese clients face when entering or acquiring in overseas markets and works closely with clients to execute their complex cross-border mandates. Tomoko also advises on real estate and infrastructure transactions.  Tomoko received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs in 1997 and passed the Japanese Bar in 1996 and started her career at Shimazaki International Law Office, a boutique law firm specializing in capital markets and venture capital.  From 1997 to 1999, Tomoko attended the legal training and research institute of the Supreme Court of Japan. In 2002, Tomoko joined Freshfields in Tokyo as an Associate and received the opportunity to study at the University of Chicago Law School, obtaining her master’s degree in law in 2005 and she was admitted to the California Bar in 2006, then returned to Freshfields Tokyo in 2007. Tomoko was made a Partner in 2023.  Tomoko was named Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm) in the ALB Japan Law Awards 2024. In her spare time, Tomoko enjoys (muscle) training, Pilates and listening to music.  Connect with Tomoko Website: https://www.freshfields.com/en/find-a-lawyer/n/nakajima-tomoko Connect with Catherine  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair