Speakers
Speakers to be confirmed.
Steering Committee
Emi Takeda, general counsel Japan, Accenture
Emi Takeda is General Counsel of Japan responsible for all legal support to the region. She provides strategic advice to senior business leadership on client engagements, risk management, compliance, and governance, and is a member of the Japan Geo Council, Market Investment Committee, and the global Legal Executive Committee. Emi Joined Accenture in 2011 and has served in various Contracting and market legal leadership roles in Japan and APAC.
Prior to Accenture, she was with US law firm Morrison & Foerster, where she practiced M&A, corporate and technology transactions and with UK Law Firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Emi received her LL.B. from the University of Tokyo and graduated from the Legal Training and Research Institute of Japan. Emi received her LL.M. from Columbia Law School. Emi is a Japanese Bengoshi admitted to practice in Japan and she is also admitted to practice in New York.
Hiro Kato, chief legal officer and group general counsel, INPEX
Hiro Kato led the creation and growth of the global legal function INPEX, Japan’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company. Joining in 2013 to establish the company’s first dedicated legal department, Kato built a team that now numbers over 50 lawyers worldwide, unified under the “One Legal” philosophy. Known for a proactive approach to risk management, he emphasizes vigilance, scenario planning, and resilience in times of uncertainty. A thought leader on legal technology and governance, Kato continues to guide INPEX through shifting geopolitical and regulatory landscapes.
Before INPEX, Kato practiced at Anderson Mori and Baker & McKenzie in Tokyo and Chicago, where he spent nearly a decade advising Japanese clients on cross-border transactions and regulatory matters. His international experience across leading global firms laid the foundation for his expertise in managing complex legal and business challenges.
Satoshi Kurata, executive officer＆general counsel, JGC Holdings Corporation
Satoshi Kurata drives JGC Holdings’s global legal strategy, advancing its mission to “Enhance Planetary Health.” He has led legal teams in landmark initiatives recently, such as Indonesia’s Tangguh enhanced gas recovery and carbon capture, utilisation and storage project, and a pioneering joint venture to produce sustainable aviation fuel from used cooking oil. A key member of JGC’s crisis management task force, Kurata ensures resilience through effective risk management and contract structuring. Passionate about diversity, he has built a dynamic legal department where women now form the majority, strengthening innovation and leadership within JGC’s global operations. As well as GJC, Kurata has also held notable positions with McKinsey & Company and KBR.
Wise Wang, legal lead for Japan and Korea, X
Wise Wang oversees complex legal matters spanning commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, and litigation in fast-changing markets. He has guided the company through evolving internet regulations on transparency, content moderation, and user data protection, helping safeguard compliance, reputation, and user trust. With a background in management consulting at leading global firms, he brings a rare blend of business and legal expertise, enabling pragmatic, strategically aligned advice. Passionate about technology’s impact on law, he is focused on how generative AI will reshape legal practice while elevating the importance of leadership and soft skills.
Sayaka Matsui, general counsel, Unilever
Sayaka Matsui, general counsel of Unilever Japan Holdings since 2024, is recognised for combining legal expertise with purpose-driven leadership. In 2021, she spearheaded the introduction of a sustainability-oriented contract model, reducing CO2 emissions and truck use, which earned Unilever Japan the Supply Chain Innovation Award 2023 Grand Prize from METI. Beyond legal matters, Ms. Matsui actively advances sustainability initiatives, particularly in tackling plastic waste through business coalitions and policy advocacy. As a leader, she develops team members into “business leaders who know the law,” fostering creativity, psychological safety, and business acumen. Ms. Matsui’s career reflects innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainable growth.