I’m Catherine, the host of Lawyer on Air, the #1 podcast for legal careers in Japan. In each episode, I bring you award-winning insights and inspirational inside stories about working in law as a woman in Japan.
Whether you’re dreaming of a career here or already practicing, this is your go-to guide for finding your place in Japan’s legal landscape.
We’ll dive into what hiring managers look for, emerging trends in the legal market, what it takes to earn a seat on a Japanese corporate board, and how to thrive personally and professionally.
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Supercharge Your Lawyer Life for 2025 through Executive Coaching with Celina Lee
Season 9 · Episode 1
Sunday, December 15, 2024 • Duration 01:05:29
Celina Lee shares insights from her journey as a lawyer, writer, podcast host, and executive coach. She discusses the importance of working with an executive coach to gain clarity, reframe past experiences, shoo away the naysayers and stay accountable. This episode is a great way to see out 2024, take stock of what you have achieved so far, and start dreaming about 2025 and the changes you might make in your 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 Celina won the career race to be a high flying lawyer in New York, and then found that she had in fact been in the wrong “race”
Common struggles lawyers face when dreaming of new ideas or career pivots
How coaching works and what you can achieve in working with a coach
Her favourite saying, book and other fun facts
About Celina
Celina Lee is the founder of Live Your Dream Club and a globally recognized executive and career coach. She is also a lawyer, award-winning writer, and the host of Live Your Dream Podcast.
She has extensive experience coaching many lawyers and other corporate professionals to achieve success and fulfillment in their careers, and has given speeches and delivered workshops in many countries.
Celina started her career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and worked as a corporate lawyer at a law firm, Ropes & Gray LLP in New York City.
On her Live Your Dream Podcast, which has listeners from over 100 countries around the world, she shares lessons learned in her journey as well as interviews from inspirational leaders from diverse industries about what they have learned in life and career.
Celina is the founder of Give One Dream, a global movement that inspires people to pursue and achieve their dreams.
She has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and speak at industry-leading events, universities, and organizations including TEDx, MIT, Stanford, Princeton University, and Google.
Celina received her undergraduate degree from MIT and law degree from U.C. Berkeley School of Law. She is a certified professional coach and is a graduate of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).
Tomoka Miho is an AI ethics expert and award-winning lawyer at IBM Japan. From her education in the UK to becoming a legal counsel, Tomoka shares her career journey, her thoughts on AI's impact on the legal profession. If you are wondering how you can be at the forefront of the new wave of generative AI or name and claim an area of specialty in this area 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:
Tomoka’s experience studying and working as a solicitor in the UK
How she overcame key challenges during her career
Her thoughts on AI and why women should be more involved in this area of law
Her favourite books and other fun facts
About Tomoka
Tomoka Miho is a multi-award-winning lawyer who is Counsel and Trust & Compliance Officer at IBM in Japan. After graduating from law school in the UK, she qualified as a solicitor in the UK.
First working as an associate at a major British law firm, she then returned to Japan and gained many years of experience in financial law as an in-house lawyer in the legal department of a foreign financial institution (UBS, 2005).
Tomoka then worked as an Attorney with Deutsche Bank in 2015. She started with IBM at the end of 2021. Tomoka was a founding member of the Japan AI Ethics Team, which was established in the summer of 2022.
She provides advice on AI ethics and risks to IBM from a legal perspective - specifically, through the review of cases such as IBM Japan's services and products that use AI, and the review of contracts, etc., based on IBM's “Principles of Trust and Transparency.”
Breaking Boundaries: Miyako Ikuta on Patience, Perseverance, and Becoming a Global Lawyer
Season 8 · Episode 5
Monday, July 15, 2024 • Duration 52:57
Miyako Ikuta is a partner at Kitahama Partners in Tokyo registered to practice in France, New York, and Japan. Miyako shares her journey across multiple countries and legal systems and discusses her diverse roles, including serving as an auditor and outside director. and shares valuable tips for preparing for board roles. Additionally, she delves into her passion for privacy and data law, her experiences with the EU Court of Justice, and her advocacy for human rights. Miyako is truely making a big impact on the legal landscape in Japan, listen to hear the full story.
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 an early frustration with a lack of privacy from her family set Miyako on the path to become a lawyer
How a one year exchange in France led to Miyako becoming one of a few Japanese Advocat (Lawyer)
Miyako’s passion for the law and her efforts to bring about positive changes in Japan
What you need to study up on when you get shoulder tapped for a board role
Her restaurant and other fun facts
About Miyako
Miyako is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Kitahama Partners.
As a qualified lawyer in Paris, New York, and Tokyo, her main practice areas are corporate law, IP law, and data privacy law. She has extensive experience in court proceedings in France and Japan, so she is very able to handle litigation matters including cross-border arbitrations when requested.
Most recently, she has been advising on and handling various cross-border matters in Europe, especially in regard to the EU regulations including the GDPR. From the start of her career she has always been active in cross-border transactions between Japan and France.
Navigating Maritime Law: A Journey around the world to Japan with Gillian Musgrave
Season 8 · Episode 4
Sunday, June 30, 2024 • Duration 51:02
Gillian Musgrave is a seasoned lawyer with a rich background in maritime law and marine insurance. Gillian shares her journey from qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales to working internationally in London, Italy, New York, Singapore, and now as an in-house consultant in Tokyo. We go on a voyage of discovery into the depths of a truly fascinating and not so well known area of the law. Grab your sea legs, let’s get into it!
In this episode you’ll hear:
How ships featured in Gillian’s childhood and how she steered her way into maritime law
P&I Clubs: what they are and what it’s like to work for one
Gillian’s top tips for success in the law and in Japan
Her favourite late night cocktail bar, a current favourite book and other fun facts
About Gillian
Gillian Musgrave is a lawyer who qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales in 1990. Her specialist area of law is shipping and marine insurance.
Initially she worked in maritime law firms in London and Italy. She then moved in-house and worked for many years as a Director of Claims with a P&I Club, (a specialist insurer of shipowners’ liabilities) managing teams of claims executives in various company offices worldwide. For two years she also acted as the Head of Claims of a Lloyd’s Syndicate in the London insurance market.
She is now working in Tokyo as an in-house Consultant to a Japanese insurance company giving advice on English law maritime matters. To this end she has become a Japanese registered foreign lawyer.
Leading with Empathy: Toshimi Itakura's vision for a thriving legal team
Season 8 · Episode 3
Sunday, June 9, 2024 • Duration 51:57
If you are at a crossroads and wondering if you should give up on that dream that hasn’t come true yet, then this is the episode for you. Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department at Sojitz Corporation. Toshimi shares her inspiring career journey over more than 20 years and her professional experiences in the United States and London. Toshimi discusses her approach to career growth, emphasizing the importance of focusing on achievements rather than specific job titles and shares valuable tips on time management, leadership, and mentoring. You are going to love hearing from this ground breaker in the Tokyo legal world!
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 Toshimi came to be working in the legal department at Sojitz
Her international experiences and negotiating for what she wanted in her career
Toshimi’s way of leading as a section head (課長) and now division head (部長)
Her top three tips for aspiring professionals
Her favourite book and other fun facts
About Toshimi
Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department of Sojitz Corporation. She graduated from Keio University and joined Sojitz Corporation in 2005. Sojitz is one of Japan’s sogo shosha, or general trading company, covering various industries globally including automotive, aerospace & transportation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, metals & minerals, chemicals, agriculture, retail etc.
After a few years at the Tokyo headquarters of Sojitz she studied abroad at Duke University Law School in the United States (LL.M.) and worked in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation of America as a qualified attorney-at-law (admitted in NY).
Becoming the heroine of your journey: From assistant's assistant to legal powerhouse - Seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges with Hiroko Miyazaki
Season 8 · Episode 2
Sunday, May 19, 2024 • Duration 01:03:41
Hiroko Miyazaki is a legal luminary who has made her mark across various prestigious roles in Japan's corporate legal landscape. From her modest beginnings as a part-time law firm assistant to her ascent to Managing Director at 3M Japan, Hiroko's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and growth mindset. She opens up about her strategies for overcoming failure, the value of prioritizing tasks, and the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. Pour yourself a glass of sake - Hiroko’s favourite - and join us for a conversation that promises to enlighten and inspire anyone aiming to master their leadership presence.
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 Hiroko transformed from a sports-focused student to a learning-focused student
Using an opportunity to be inside a law firm as an assistant’s assistant while trying to pass the bar exam
Taking her child with her to the US to complete her LLM
The importance of emotions and emotional intelligence
Her recommended book and other fun facts
About Hiroko
Hiroko Miyazaki is truly a powerhouse in the legal and corporate scene. She was VP and Managing Director at 3M Japan, leading corporate affairs and making things happen until October 2023, when she broke away and is now on her next quest for brilliance. Before 3M, Hiroko was General Counsel at Alcon Japan, which was a part of the Novartis group at the time. She not only led the legal and compliance department, but also pulled off a major overhaul, turning the team into a bona fide business partner. She was leading counsel at Dell Japan, where she led the legal and contract management teams, earning accolades like the direct to the top award.
A blue ocean journey as in-house counsel and legal pioneer in Japan with Akiko Kawaguchi
Season 8 · Episode 1
Sunday, April 28, 2024 • Duration 01:07:25
Dive into the inspiring journey of Akiko Kawaguchi, a true pioneer in the Japanese legal world. Akiko shares her groundbreaking path of becoming the first Japanese qualified lawyer at Mitsubishi Corporation. In this episode, Akiko reflects on the historical events that shaped her pursuit of justice and logic, her courageous leap into the blue ocean of in-house counsel, and her belief in the transformative power of young minds. Tune in to discover how Akiko's passion for curiosity, continuous learning and embracing new challenges is shaping the future of law.
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 Akiko became the first ever Japanese lawyer at a Japanese trading company
The way Akiko took charge of her career for the benefit of Mitsubishi by leaving for another position
Bringing about change in Chiyoda Corporation
Starting the organisations and networks she needed, many of which you may have heard of!
Her favourite book and other fun facts
About Akiko
Akiko Kawaguchi is Assistant Division Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs Division for Chiyoda Corporation, a global engineering company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan.
Akiko holds an LL.B. from Hitotsubashi University (1996) and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School (2005), with Harlan Fiske Stone Scholars. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Japan (since 1999) and in New York, USA (since 2006).
Akiko began her professional career in 1999 as the first Japanese qualified in-house counsel at Mitsubishi Corporation, so-called sogo shosha, unique corporate model in Japan to cover broader business “from ramen to rocket,” where she supported local and international business transactions and disputes. In 2019 while working at Mitsubishi Corporation, Akiko was heavily involved in negotiation and implementation of Chiyoda Corporation’s revival plan and then she was seconded to Chiyoda Corporation to directly support them. While the work is tough, she enjoys new challenge covering legal, compliance, corporate governance, IR, PR and sustainability, among others.
Small Seasons, Big Impact: Building a legal practice that you love in Japan with Saki Nakahara
Season 7 · Episode 10
Sunday, April 14, 2024 • Duration 59:01
Saki Nakahara joins us to share her story of finding her way to starting her own practice in the perfect area for her. We hear about how she spent a lot of time on the qualification she thought she should achieve because it was more difficult. However that experience then went on to become part of a strong foundation for her true calling. If you are wondering how starting your own firm could be a chance to do the work you want as well as incorporate some of your passions, this is a fantastic episode showing a different way to work in the law in Japan.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How Saki became interested in the law at an early age
Finding her way to the work she really wanted to do after receiving the right information
The importance of emotions and how you want to “feel” in your practice
How Saki built a practice that incorporates how she wants her clients to feel
Her favourite podcasts, books and other fun facts
About Saki
Saki Nakahara is the founder and an immigration lawyer at Small Seasons & Co., where she provides clients with assistance for their business set-up, visa applications, and other legal services. Through her legal office, in particular where capacity allows, she loves providing specialized services to artists, creators, and anyone interested in exploring Japan's rich arts and culture scene.
Born in the UK, Saki spent her formative years immersed in diverse environments across the globe. Growing up amidst an international community, she developed a profound appreciation for cultural diversity and the interconnectedness of the world.
She was educated at the Canadian International School in Singapore from 2004-2005, Shanghai Community International School from 2006-2010 and undertook a summer program at SGH Warsaw School of Economics. She graduated from Keio University obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2015.
Saki started out her working career at Teach For Japan, and after that had a variety of experience in different industries and roles. She was a hospitality intern at Kagaya Ryokan a well-known Japanese Style Hotel established in 1906 and ranked 1st for hospitality for 33 years. After that she had an internship at Wahl & Case, Tech specialist recruiters and joined Rakuten as a Sales Associate in 2015. Her love for the law found her studying for the Shihoshoshi (judicial scrivener) exam while working as a legal assistant at June Advisors Group from 2019 to 2020 and at the same time working for Lumina Learning a visionary learning and development consultancy.
Embracing change in law: Olga V. Mack's insights on technology, personal branding & thought leadership
Season 7 · Episode 9
Sunday, March 31, 2024 • Duration 01:19:03
I am thrilled to welcome Olga V. Mack, a renowned contributor to thought leadership on law and tech to the Lawyer on Air podcast. Olga takes us on a captivating journey, sharing her experiences from integrating art, science, and law to her impactful presence on LinkedIn and the evolution of her own podcast, "Notes to My Legal Self." Join us as we delve into her alternative to mentorship, AI innovation, and the power of individual excellence in the legal landscape. If like Olga, you do not like to wait in line, learn how you can be at the forefront of the exciting changes happening in the legal industry today.
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:
Building your brand as a lawyer and how you can utilize LinkedIn to do that.
What it takes to find your niche as a lawyer through thought leadership
Olga’s take on ChatGPT and other software for Lawyers
Other Olga fun facts
About Olga
Olga V. Mack is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and attorney dedicated to harnessing transformative technologies for positive change. Serving as a Lecturer at Berkeley Law, Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT Computational Law Report, Olga is a strong advocate for the integration of innovative technologies that enhance functionality and accessibility across various domains. With a proven track record as an award-winning general counsel, operations specialist, and tech startup advisor, Olga encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to drive progress and efficiency.
Making Partner in a Big Four Japanese Law Firm with Madoka Shimada
Season 7 · Episode 8
Sunday, March 17, 2024 • Duration 51:11
Madoka Shimada is Partner at Nishimura and Asahi, one of the “Big Four” law firms in Japan. You might have heard some things about what it’s like to work there but Madoka shares some of the innovations and how she has carved out a unique career for herself with her interesting combination of qualifications.
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:
What inspired Madoka to look into the law as a career
How she took on an unusual study path in the US
What it’s like to be a partner in Nishimura and Asahi today
Her favourite book and other fun facts
About Madoka
Madoka is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Nishimura & Asahi.
She focuses on the antitrust and competition law area, providing a broad range of advice in the field of competition law, with a wealth of experience in, among other things, cross-border transactions. Madoka also has strength in trade secret cases.
Madoka advises clients on various matters of competition law, including domestic and international cartels, bid-rigging, M&A transactions, investigations by the JFTC, leniency applications and general antitrust law compliance. She is especially active in cross-border transactions.
Prior to N&A, from 1999 – 2004 Madoka was with Mitsui, Yasuda, Wani & Maeda. Madoka graduated in 2005 from Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (M.P.A.)
2003, Harvard Law School (LL.M.), in 1997, and The University of Tokyo (LL.B.)
In her spare time, Tomoka likes walking, gardening, climbing and cooking. She’s a certified sushi chef and the mother of a pampered dog, Liz.
Miyako studied an LL.B. in Japan (at Ritsumeikan University) and furthered her study of law in France (at Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Tours and the University of Paris II). She started her career as a French attorney at Baker & McKenzie, Paris, then moved to Mandel, Ngo, and Partners in the nineties. She lived in France for about 10 years including 1.5 years of living in Vietnam. Miyako then moved to the US in 1999, went to Columbia Law School where she studied for an LL.M. and then spent half a year at the EU Court of Justice (TFI) in Luxembourg. She moved to New York and joined Hughes Hubbard and Reed LLP and then returned to practice in Japan. Outside of the firm she is an auditor of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (a Japanese public agency under the governance of the Ministry of Environment) and is a corporate auditor of PCA Corporation (also listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange). She was previously a corporate auditor at Renaissance Inc. (listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange), Miyako is also an outside director of kaonavi, inc. (listed on the Growth Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange).
Outside of work, Miyako is active, serving on the Data Issues Committee and the Working Group regarding Attorney-Client Confidential Communication at the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA), and on the Attorney Mediation Committee at the Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
In the spring of 2024, Miyako restarted doing “Kokyo runs”, jogging with her colleagues around the Imperial Palace. She also completed a full marathon at the Tokyo Marathon in 2019. Miyako’s favorite pastimes are listening to the radio, watching sumo and kabuki, and going to operas.
Later in her career, she also spent 2 ~ 3 years, working in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation in London and seconded to the Herbert Smith Freehills London Office.
In 2022, she was appointed as the General Manager of the Legal Department. Throughout her career, she has engaged in corporate legal practice in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and has been involved in M&A, project finance, disposal of bad assets, collateral management, corporate restructuring, litigation and dispute resolution and other various matters and transactions.
Apart from her work, Toshimi enjoys her life being an artist in the world of ballroom Latin dancing and playing the flute.
Hiroko started her career in a part time job at a law firm as a supporting assistant. Then after passing the law exam from such humble beginnings, she became an associate in law firms and then took on her in-house legal roles and managing director work. Hiroko holds an LLM from the University of Washington and she is licensed to practice in both Japan and New York.
Akiko has been actively involved in the Japan Legal community and has engaged in numerous activities to develop the capabilities of those who have legal background for them to break the silo to fly to higher sky. As one of the first penguins as Japanese in-house counsel, she was the founding member of the Japan In-house Lawyers Association (JILA). In 2021, she co-launched the Japanese Legal Operations Study Group to release legal operations framework “CORE8.” She is also the founding member of CLOC Japan Shared Interest Group. In 2023, she co-launched the Strategic Legal Governance Study Group with reputable Japanese companies’ GCs and chairs its subcommittee to explore the corporate function necessary to operate the company in the view of the management and to take necessary action.
Outside of work, Akiko enjoys visiting various libraries and bookstores, strolling around the neighborhood (“wonder wander” according to Stanford school) and listening to rock music.
Saki shifted from studying for the Shihoshoshi qualification to Gyoseishoshi (Administrative scrivener) and having passed the Gyoseishoshi exam successfully in 2022, she established her own immigration law firm in July 2023.
In her spare time, Saki is devoted to shedding light on the Way of Tea and promoting creative ways to bring fulfillment to people's lives through Japanese cultures and heritage. She juggles a full-time digital marketing role at a marketing agency while also dedicating every morning to work for an immigration lawyer's office, in addition to managing her own legal practice.
By combining her passion for tea with her expertise in law and marketing, Saki is dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and heritage on her entrepreneurial journey while striving to see the dots connect.
As a seasoned TEDx presenter, Olga leverages her unique blend of expertise in technology and business to inspire and educate audiences. Recognized as a top speaker and thought leader, she shares her insights through various platforms, including Forbes, Bloomberg Law, law.MIT Computational Law Report, Newsweek, Venture Beat, Above the Law, ACC Docket, and many other popular and industry publications. Olga's work revolves around exploring the transformative potential of emerging technologies across industries. Her accomplishments include being honored with prestigious awards such as Silicon Valley Women of Influence, ABA Women in Legal Tech, Make Your Mark, Corporate Counsel of the Year, and Women Leaders in Technology Law.
Join Olga in her mission to embrace technology for positive change and explore its impact on society, business, and innovation.
Madoka serves as a member of one of the committees in the firm which has the role of planning various measures of training associates, coordinating their working environment, etc. D&I perspective, such as the introduction of paid childcare leave, is included in this function. She also serves as the head of the Editorial Board of N&A “Thought Leadership,” which is a new style of newsletters of the firm. Outside of the firm she serves on the Children’s’ Rights Committee at Daini Bar Association, as a consultee for kids at SNS consultation (once a month, using LINE).
Madoka is a mom of two teenage boys, joining a PTA activity for younger son, as an editor of the newsletter of the school. In her spare time, she goes to the theatre regularly and is a fan of musicals following from her passion at junior and senior high school where she was a member of the music club.
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