Team size: 33

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

We as Accenture support our clients in their digital transformation, and in recent years we have provided many clients with transformation support directly through captive acquisitions and the establishment of Joint Ventures, with the aim of promoting data-driven management by improving operational efficiency and implementing of Generative AI. In this approach, contract schemes and structures are very complex, and there is also an element of M&A as it involves share transactions, and the applicable laws and regulations differ from client industry to client industry, therefore it takes time to negotiate and reach an agreement with the client. Our contracting team at Accenture legal supports these initiatives from the early stages of the sales process, from deal shaping to contract drafting and negotiation. Since joining Accenture, I have led almost all of these opportunities of Joint Ventures and captive acquisitions that we have undertaken with clients for their business transformation, and it is truly a transaction that we support the client management major transformation, although there have been lots of not-easy and long-term negotiations, I have enjoyed such exciting and challenging experience that is also to the company and the industry.

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

In response to new risks in new business and new legislation, we can improve the legal resilience of the organisation by utilising external law firm experts and having subject matter experts on specific frequent topics such as Data Privacy and Generative AI within the team. In addition, we strengthened training for our team, improved the awareness of legal risks among all team members, and trained business teams in a timely manner to broaden the base of prevention. To prepare for responding to problems that arise urgently, we have widely assigned team members to deal with risks and troubles and have accumulated experience doing so.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

In my 30s, I spent six years working at local subsidiaries in the UK, Germany and New York, where I joined the reporting line of the local legal team and gained experience as a local legal member and management. In doing so, I gained invaluable experience in negotiating and drafting direct clients in M&A deals and client deals, conducting on-site PMI in M&A deals, and directly interacting with counterparties and arbitrators in litigation cases. On the other hand, at the local subsidiary, I was treated as a human being from the head office, so I had the experience of hiding necessary information and not being invited to necessary meetings, which was a very useful experience, including difficulties. In addition, through the experience of learning about the legal backgrounds and cultures of various countries, I learned how to communicate internationally and communication skills in English.

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?

In the past, the offshore legal team has been reviewing uncomplicated contracts and NDAs, but in view of geopolitical risks and various other considerations, it has shifted to doing the same for onshore members in Japan and the members of nearshore location in rural areas of Japan. In addition, we use a remote in-house service that is provided by law firms for such contract review.