About

Thailand-based Mitsuaki Kusunoki has enjoyed a hugely successful career working as an intellectual property (IP) lawyer across the Asia Pacific region. She is currently the Asia Pacific general counsel at Sumitomo Electric Industries, a Japanese manufacturer of electric wire and optical wire cables. Sumitomo Electric Industries develops a unique heating technology that converts heat to energy and Kusunoki is directly responsible for protecting a technology that could significantly contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions globally. Additionally, Kusunoki provides legal support to over 60 companies across the entire region. Prior to moving to Thailand, Kusunoki was based at Sumitomo’s Singapore office, serving as a general counsel for Southeast Asia, India and Australia. She has also performed legal functions across China and Japan. Before joining Sumitomo, Kusunoki worked as an IP lawyer in Japan for over 15 years in various organisations, including Da Vinci, Technology Licensing Organization of the University of Tokyo, Procter & Gamble and Chugai Pharmaceutical.