Team size: Approximately 40

What are the most significant cases, projects, or transactions that you and your legal team have recently been involved in?

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. is one of the leading battery manufacturers in the world. As major EV battery manufacturer Panasonic Energy supplies cylindrical Lithium-ion batteries to companies in both Japan and abroad. Our team works on a wide variety of maters, with the better known (news reported) matters including the construction and commencement of manufacturing at our new Kansas City Gigafactory in the United States, and raw materials (minerals) investments. With that said, the most significant matters we work on relate to supply chain management and export/import regulation compliance. It may not sound exciting but this is an ever-changing area that is subject to geopolitical pressures requiring me and my team to stay proactive in a very fast paced environment.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

As an organisation, Panasonic Energy has emphasised the need for cross-functional collaboration and flexibility/adaptability during these very turbulent times. Even though being reactive may have been second nature up to now, we now have a strong corporate will to try to be proactive in anticipating near future challenges with an eye towards sustainable future growth.

More specifically from a purely legal standpoint, we have been emphasising efficiency and adaptability gained through effective communication and information sharing. Too much communication and information can be inefficient and lead to confusion and over analysis. Effective information sharing initiatives include defining communication structures (i.e., establish facts, explain assessment and then propose judgement in each communication).

What strategies do you employ to ensure the successful digital transformation of a legal department while maintaining compliance with your country’s data protection laws?

Panasonic Energy has decided to adopt a globally recognised contract management system and is planning to incorporate use of generative AI tools to our standard operating procedures. Furthermore, Panasonic Energy Legal decided to adopt third party digital services to further assist with its global supply chain management.

Given the current geopolitical shifts and growing uncertainties around international free trade, has your company’s risk profile evolved, and are you taking measures to address these challenges?

Even though supply chain stability and procurement are constant factors in any company’s sustainability, due to the attention towards electrification and EVs and the volatility around the battery industry the significance of supply chain management has materially increased. Continuous work is being undertaken to meet and evidence legal and industry standards through revisions to work processes and digitisation.