Lawyer on Air

Hosted by Catherine O'Connell

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127

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Oct 2026

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About the show

I’m Catherine, the host of Lawyer on Air, the #1 podcast for legal careers in Japan. In each episode, I bring you award-winning insights and inspirational inside stories about working in law as a woman in Japan. Whether you’re dreaming of a career here or already practicing, this is your go-to guide for finding your place in Japan’s legal landscape. We’ll dive into what hiring managers look for, emerging trends in the legal market, what it takes to earn a seat on a Japanese corporate board, and how to thrive personally and professionally.

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October 25, 2026Episode 1055 min

Following Curiosity Across Industries: Hiroko Ochi's In-House Legal Journey to Panasonic Energy

Hiroko Ochi is Section Manager of the Compliance Department at the Legal Center of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. In this episode, Catherine O'Connell, herself a former Panasonic alumna, traces Hiroko's remarkable journey across Ricoh, JCOM, Sumitomo Corporation, Persol Holdings, and now Panasonic Energy. Hiroko's career is one of relentless curiosity, systems thinking, and the deep belief that legal and business are always one team. If you are contemplating a change in industry, listen in to hear how Hiroko did it. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Why Hiroko chose to work as an in-house legal counsel from day one How Hiroko navigated several changes of industry Her “three-part risk framework” that has guided every in-house decision Her favourite book and other fun facts About Hiroko Hiroko Ochi began her legal career at Ricoh Company, Ltd. in 2006, where she handled a broad range of corporate legal matters, including contract review, business legal support, corporate reorganizations, and new business development. She subsequently worked at Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (now J:COM., Ltd.) and was seconded to Sumitomo Corporation, where she gained extensive experience in domestic and cross-border transactions, including M&A, venture capital investments, and corporate restructuring. She later joined PERSOL HOLDINGS CO., LTD., advising on domestic and international M&A and venture investment transactions, as well as corporate sustainability initiatives, business and human rights, and personal data protection. Since April 2026, she has served as Section Manager of the Compliance Department at the Legal Center of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. Drawing on her legal experience across the manufacturing, telecommunications and media, trading, and human resources services industries, she focuses on strengthening legal and compliance frameworks in collaboration with business teams and addressing legal risks associated with global business operations. Connect with Hiroko Please contact Catherine to be connected with Hiroko. Links Clouds Above the Hill by Ryotaro Shiba: https://a.co/d/07wbRBvV Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

October 12, 2026Episode 938 min

From Paralegal to Legal Department Manager with Sawako Kakutani

Sawako Kakutani is Corporate Secretarial Department Manager and Legal Department Manager at ASA Professionals Singapore, working remotely from Japan, and an attorney licensed in Washington State. She previously worked as Legal Department Manager at Hitachi Construction Machinery and does hybrid work between Singapore and Japan. We hear how Sawako decided that law would be a way she could possibly enjoy working at a “traditional Japanese company”. If you are someone with endless curiosity you will find Catherine’s discussion with Sawako an interesting insight to possibilities in the legal world in Japan. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How a philosophy book in a friend's library, first sparked Sawako's interest in law The paralegal role at AVAYA, with Lawyer on Air guest, Junko Mukoyama , that revealed in-house legal work could be genuinely exciting The tips Sawako offers for anyone who wants become a bridge between cultures About Sawako Sawako Kakutani is Corporate Secretarial Department Manager and Legal Department Manager at ASA Professionals Singapore, working remotely from Japan, and an attorney licensed in Washington State. Sawako has built an international in-house legal career spanning Japan and Southeast Asia, with extensive experience in cross-border commercial transactions, corporate governance, compliance, data privacy and legal support for overseas businesses. From 2021 to 2025, Sawako was based in Singapore with Hitachi Construction Machinery Asia & Pacific, where she served as General Manager of Legal and supported the company's businesses and subsidiaries across the region. She returned to Japan in April 2025 and served as Legal Department Manager at Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. before transitioning to her current roles at ASA Professionals Singapore on July 1, 2026. Fluent in Japanese and English, Sawako has lived in the United States for 11 years and Singapore for four years. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Waseda University, a Juris Doctor from Omiya Law School and an LL.M. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, Japan Campus. She became licensed to practise law in Washington State in January 2026. Outside work, Sawako is an enthusiastic dragon boat paddler and also enjoys marathons, mountain trekking, cycling, motorcycle touring and travel. Connect with Sawako LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawako-kakutani-8902a9bb/ Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

September 27, 2026Episode 842 min

Building a Legal Career in AI Ethics at Sony with Yoko Arisaka

Yoko Arisaka is General Manager of Sony Group's Legal Department and a key architect of Sony's AI ethics guidelines. Yoko shares her journey from Tokyo to New York, experiencing the World Financial Crisis there, and finding her niche at Sony, forging a deep interest in AI governance. You will be surprised at how Yoko looks to the past and outside of the law for hints on how to bring about the future. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Yoko’s “small”, consistent networking habit that compounded into creating a valuable network for her The moment in 2015 when she was first asked to research the new field of AI ethics The technical and soft skills a legal general manager needs right now Yoko's biggest concern about AI adoption is not speed but the hidden long-term costs About Yoko Yoko Arisaka is General Manager of the Legal Section, Legal Department at Sony Group Corporation. She plays an important role in offering legal guidance and support for the implementation of new technologies and creating new businesses in Sony. She works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with legal requirements and minimize potential risks. In addition to her expertise in corporate law, she has made contributions to the field of AI ethics. She was a key member of the team responsible for developing Sony Group AI Ethics Guidelines. She has published multiple articles on the subject in reputable Japanese legal journals. She has a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Tokyo and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from UCLA School of Law, and is licensed to practice law in the State of New York. In her free time, she enjoys staying active, exploring gut health and inner wellness, and dining out with friends. Connect with Yoko Please contact Catherine to be connected with Yoko Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

September 13, 2026Episode 755 min

Simon Hollander on a Legal Career Built on Curiosity and Tips to Tackle AI Tools in the Market

Special guest, Simon Hollander is Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon Web Services and supports Products and Security Legal across Asia Pacific as AWS's regulatory expert on cloud and AI. Simon shares his interesting career path and the women lawyers who influenced every pivotal career decision he ever made. We hear about the tools coming out of leading AI models, Simon's insights on brain fry, and what lawyers should be working on in this age of AI. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How nearly every pivotal legal career decision Simon has ever made was influenced by a woman lawyer. Listen in for some shoutouts to our LOA community! The “uncommon sense” lesson lawyers need to learn that no law school teaches Simon’s experience from the front line of AI development and the “brain fry” phenomenon replacing “brain rot” About Simon Simon is Senior Corporate Counsel at Amazon Web Services and supports Products and Security Legal across Asia Pacific (ex-China but including Japan and New Zealand). Before joining Amazon Web Services in 2016, he was Senior Counsel at Accenture Japan. Before going in house he was in private practice on the corporate legal team at Morrison & Foerster LLP in Tokyo. He is qualified as a barrister in New Zealand and has a BA/LLB from Auckland University Before life as a lawyer Simon spent seven years working as an IT Consultant for Deloitte Tohmatsu, and later as an environmental policy consultant at Tokio Marine Risk Consulting before deciding to earn his New Zealand bar admission while living and working in Japan and to finally try out becoming a lawyer. Simon grew up - in his own words - an army brat, moving around attending 16 schools. He moved to Japan straight out of uni and has lived here for 27 years now. In his years in Japan he has been a rugby referee, managed the local French rugby club for several years, been a club DJ and his latest passion is running and is hoping he can run the Tokyo Marathon once again with the current lottery. In his free time he also has a video blog about weekly news and culture topics in Japan he has been doing for more than 15 years now. Like everyone else Simon is wrapped up in learning AI and feels very lucky to be in a position to get access to the latest models and tools, and is a trainer of how to use this tech inside Amazon Legal globally, and has given seminars for regulators inside and outside of Japan on the technology. Connect with Simon LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-hollander-9b5a3a5/ Links Punk Doily: https://www.instagram.com/punkdoily Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

August 2, 2026Episode 644 min

The Deep End Strategy: How Nancy Miyaji Chose High Risk, High Responsibility to Build her Legal Career

What do you do when a global financial crisis derails your carefully planned legal career before it even begins? Rather than hold out for the law firm role she wanted, Nancy Miyaji threw herself into the deep end and built her career anyway. With a superpower of bridging perspectives, Nancy's story is one of resilience, clarity of purpose that shows another successful pathway in law, whatever is happening around you. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How arriving in Japan at age 11 without a word of Japanese forged a resilience that still her today Choosing a startup role during the global financial crisis when no law firm jobs were available The valuable lessons she learned in the deep end working on an IPO and M&A at a start up company The reframe she would give her younger self: stop asking "why me?" and start asking this instead Her favourite beverage and other fun facts About Nancy Nancy Miyaji is a corporate lawyer whose work focuses on cross-border transactions, compliance, and corporate matters in Japan and internationally. She is a Foreign Lawyer at Iwata Godo and a member of the New York Bar. Her experience spans both private practice and global companies, including Simmons & Simmons and Hitachi, where she has worked on cross-border transactions, compliance, and corporate matters. Rather than following a conventional legal career path, Nancy has built a career across private practice and in-house environments, developing her own perspective on professional growth and success. She holds an LL.B. from Kyushu University and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and works in Japanese, English, and Chinese. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys pushing her limits. She played competitive table tennis in her youth and later led her high school mountaineering club. She has since climbed Mount Fuji and completed the Saitama Marathon. She is also passionate about volunteer work supporting foreign women in Japan to achieve success on their own terms. Connect with Nancy Website: https://www.iwatagodo.com/english/lawyers/miyaji_nancy.html Links Seattle’s Best Coffee: https://www.jrff.co.jp/seabest/ Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

July 20, 2026Episode 51 hr 5 min

Collect Your Edges: Sachiko Ichikawa’s career in law, finance and governance in Japan

What do you do when your first employer hands you a uniform and tells you to serve tea, despite having a law degree from Tokyo University? For Sachiko Ichikawa, the answer was to quit, pick up law again, and spend the next three decades collecting edges that no one else had. Now a founding member of BDTI (the Board Director Training Institute), a qualified lawyer and CPA, and a Business Lawyers Award winner in governance, Sachiko has trained over 4,000 board directors in Japan and sat in boardrooms where she has seen—up close—what separates the A team from the B team. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Sachiko’s first job at a bank that saw her take control of her career and go into law The Livedoor securities fraud case that introduced Sachiko to corporate governance What Sachiko observed in her very first boardroom that taught her how to be an excellent board member Her favourite book and other fun facts About Sachiko Sachiko Ichikawa a lawyer at Tanabe & Partners, a director at Board Directors Training Institute, an independent director at Azbil, Olympus and Tokyo Electron Connect with Sachiko LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sachiko-ichikawa-203bb621/ Links Enoura Observatory: https://www.odawara-af.com/ja/enoura/ Boards that lead: https://amzn.asia/d/02LOo8NO Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

July 5, 2026Episode 446 min

Direction, Not Speed: A research fellowship in Japan, Motherhood and Redefining Legal Career Success with Dajeong Lee

Dajeong Lee is a partner specialising in dispute resolution and insolvency, currently in Japan as a research fellow at Waseda University. Dajeong's story is about the moments no one plans for. With wisdom drawn from jazz music, long-distance running, and the rhythm of daily life in Japan, Dajeong offers a refreshingly honest perspective on ambition, identity, and what it really means to keep moving forward through career detours and parenthood. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How navigating three major life changes at once, tested her in completely different ways Why Dajeong sees her Waseda research fellowship as an investment in herself, not stepping away from her partner level legal career Her shift from sprinter mindset to long-distance runner mindset: why endurance now matters more to her than speed Her favourite author and other fun facts About Dajeong Dajeong Lee is a Korean lawyer and a partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Yulchon LLC, one of Korea’s leading law firms. She majored in Communications at Ewha Womans University and received her J.D. from Yonsei University Law School. Since joining Yulchon in 2018, she has focused primarily on insolvency and restructuring, financial disputes, and corporate litigation, representing clients in a wide range of civil and commercial matters. She is currently a visiting researcher at Waseda University in Japan, where she is conducting comparative research on insolvency law in Korea and Japan. After giving birth to her first child in late 2025, she has been balancing motherhood, legal research, and her career as a lawyer while living in Tokyo. Outside of work, she enjoys reading mystery novels, watching baseball, and traveling. She is also interested in learning and growing through new languages, cultures, and environments. Connect with Dajeong Law firm contact: https://www.yulchon.com/en/professionals/professionals-view/djlee23264/lee-dajeong.do Links Keigo Higashino novels: https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%B4%8B%E6%9B%B8-Keigo-Higashino/s?rh=n%3A52033011%2Cp_27%3AKeigo%2BHigashino Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

June 21, 2026Episode 353 min

The Mosaic Career: How Chie Hashimoto Built a Patchwork of Skills into a Luxury Legal Leadership Role

Chie Hashimoto is Senior Legal Manager at Richemont Japan LLC, the luxury group behind Cartier, Montblanc, and more. In this episode full of Easter egg surprises, we hear about Chie's path, which was anything but linear. With reflections from Catherine woven throughout, this episode is as much a meditation on non-linear careers as it is a masterclass in legal leadership, cultural nuance, and the value of saying yes to things. Chie shows us how interests outside of law can help you make those impossible work “missions”possible. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: Chie’s foray into business before attending law school as a mother of a young child The transition for “advising” to “leading” the business The interests outside of law that make the impossible, possible Her favourite book and other fun facts About Chie Chie Hashimoto is the Senior Legal Manager at Richemont Japan LLC, where she oversees legal strategy, contract negotiation, and compliance across a portfolio of leading luxury brands including Cartier, Montblanc, and Vacheron Constantin. With over 15 years of multinational legal experience spanning the luxury goods and technology sectors, she has built a name for practical, business-focused legal solutions and a forward-thinking approach to legal operations — including the adoption of AI-driven review platforms. Chie holds a Bachelor of Law from Dokkyo University, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii, and a Graduate Certificate in Asia Pacific Leadership from the East-West Center, established by the U.S. Congress. She is a licensed attorney admitted to the New York Bar, a Certified Internal Auditor, and holds qualifications in wine expertise, including the J.S.A. Wine Expert certification and WSET Level 2. Outside of the office, Chie holds a 4th Dan Black Belt in Wado-kai Karate as well as a NAUI Rescue Diver certification. She is also a passionate wine enthusiast and a keen traveler. Connect with Chie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chie-hashimoto-8458b3a/ Links Dunhill Bar: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13224293/ Absent in the Spring, Agatha Christie: https://amzn.asia/d/05FzJ8Hz Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

June 7, 2026Episode 238 min

Part 2: The CLO, the GC and Governance Beyond the Legal Function with Natsue Ishida

Part two of the conversation with Natsue Ishida dives into the intricacies of governance in Japan and how you can come across opportunities to do pro bono work that expand your area of expertise. Don’t miss the beautiful reading of a poem that has had a big impact on Natsue at the end of the episode. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: The difference between Chief Legal Officer (CLO) and General Counsel (GC) Managing what’s best for the company and respecting the founder Finding unique ways to contribute to the governance community in Japan and globally What Natsue would say to her younger self Her favourite book and poem About Natsue Natsue is a seasoned General Counsel and senior executive with over 20 years of international experience advising senior management, Boards of Directors, and Audit Committees across Asia, North America, and Europe. She brings extensive expertise in legal strategy, IP, compliance, risk management, corporate governance, global subsidiary management, M&A, and data privacy. Her career spans highly regulated industries—including financial services, medical devices, automotive, and gaming—where she has consistently guided organisations through complex regulatory landscapes while shaping strong cultures of compliance and ethical leadership. Natsue is a widely recognised award winning thought leader, deeply committed to advancing excellence within the legal profession. On the weekends, she enjoys rock climbing (shower climbing in the summer). She would like to do more photography (medium format film photo printing), maybe when she retires, if the technology still exists! Connect with Natsue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theflyingcat/ Links Part 1: ⁠https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/podcast/season-12-ep2-natsue-ishida⁠ Global Council for Responsible AI https://gcrai.ai/ Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

May 31, 2026Episode 249 min

Helping Japan Shine: The Personal Mission Driving Natsue Ishida’s Career in Law & Governance

Natsue Ishida shares her journey from sociology student to general counsel and executive officer advising boards, across many well known global companies. This is part one of a two part conversation filled with literal lightning moments, unconventional career choices, and profound leadership lessons. You will learn lessons from each stage of Natsue’s career and what it means to be an officer of the law inside an organisation. If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here! In this episode you’ll hear: How Natsue’s personal mission that has guided her career The importance of focusing on the experience you'll get from a job Why taking on responsibilities outside your normal expertise builds supporters for legal and compliance How Natsue changed the trajectory of her career in the moment she said "I'll do it" to a role she wasn’t offered! Her favourite movies and other fun facts About Natsue Natsue is a seasoned General Counsel and senior executive with over 20 years of international experience advising senior management, Boards of Directors, and Audit Committees across Asia, North America, and Europe. She brings extensive expertise in legal strategy, IP, compliance, risk management, corporate governance, global subsidiary management, M&A, and data privacy. Her career spans highly regulated industries—including financial services, medical devices, automotive, and gaming—where she has consistently guided organisations through complex regulatory landscapes while shaping strong cultures of compliance and ethical leadership. Natsue is a widely recognised award winning thought leader, deeply committed to advancing excellence within the legal profession. On the weekends, she enjoys rock climbing (shower climbing in the summer). She would like to do more photography (medium format film photo printing), maybe when she retires, if the technology still exists! Connect with Natsue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theflyingcat/ Links Tender Bar: https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13259123/ Roger and Me: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098213/ In the Name of the Father: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107207/ Connect with Catherine LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair