Please describe a situation where your advice had a significant impact on business outcomes or objectives.

There are cases where it may not be feasible to adopt the exact same processes or model employed by the firm globally due to the difference in law, structure of the scheme or commercial practices. Legal can play a role in providing solutions so that, overall, we can achieve the same goal as a firm.

What are the key trends that in-house counsel should be monitoring over the coming months?

Generative AI.

What are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

Leadership, communication skills and approachability, balanced judgment with risk mindset and commercial understanding, cross-functional collaboration.

Have you been in a situation where expectations between Japanese and global stakeholders differed? How did you resolve it?

Yes, this happens rather frequently. It depends on the issue but understanding the ultimate goal, as well as understanding what can be changed and what cannot be changed, are the key to resolving the issue in question.