Team size: approx. 25

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

One of the initiatives in our medium-term business plan is the reform of our approach to overseas projects. In the projects we have undertaken over the past twelve months, we have sought to negotiate contract terms with a client in line with this reform and have tried to introduce new measures for risk sharing with our partners.

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

We have made every effort to establish contractual terms and arrangements regarding risk-sharing with customers and partners that are mutually beneficial to both our company and the other parties.

In-house counsel increasingly play the role of ‘translator’. How do you communicate complex legal advice to the board, key stakeholders and internally?

We strive to gain a clear understanding of the perspectives from which the Board of Directors makes its decisions, and the information required for them to assess matters from those perspectives. We also consider the best methods of explanation and the appropriate amount of information needed to ensure they fully understand and are satisfied with the legal advice provided. Also, when explaining legal matters to stakeholders and relevant internal departments, we strive to gain a clear understanding of the information they require.

What is a cause, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

Our aim is to establish a group-wide legal risk management framework (covering contract law, compliance and corporate legal affairs) as soon as possible. To this end, we are working to redefine the role of the Head Office Legal Department and establish collaborative structures with group companies both in Japan and overseas.