About

Osamu Toriumi has been at Mitsui & Co for over 30 years, and has spent time working in its New York and London offices. During this period, he has expanded the legal department considerably, with a strong focus on diversity. Currently leading more than 160 legal staff, he has worked to expand the role of Mitsui & Co’s legal function to take a more active role in areas such as crisis management and government relations. Structuring the team along geographical remits of responsibility, he has also introduced pockets of specialism into the team, focusing on ‘common global themes’ such as agriculture and medical healthcare. Managing the team, Toriumi says, is an aspect of work which he gains particular satisfaction from. When choosing external counsel he always focuses on individual lawyers rather than firms, but says: ‘I need firms to help me by providing candid and accurate information about their expertise’.