How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?

I believe that in times of crisis it becomes even more critical to focus our efforts on the services that truly add value to the organisation. We aim to keep a long-term perspective while navigating short- and medium-term challenges.

It is essential to align the use of our resources with the needs of the business, maximising the value derived from our teams, vendors and external counsel. At the same time, we seek to make the most of available technological tools and to prioritise our workload effectively, ensuring that the most important matters are addressed first without being overshadowed by less critical tasks.

What are the major cases or transactions you have been involved in recently?

We have been addressing the consequences of agave oversupply in our tequila business, along with the challenges arising from the sharp decline in prices. These impacts extend beyond the economic sphere and also carry significant social implications. In parallel, we are engaging with the government to support the modernisation of the tax framework for alcoholic beverages in Mexico. Finally, we are facing the most severe methanol poisoning crisis in Brazil.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

As part of a Japanese-based organisation, we place great importance on the continuous protection of water resources across all our operations. We strive to use water as efficiently as possible and actively participate in a range of initiatives aimed at preserving the environment and safeguarding the water sources that are essential to our products.