A blue ocean journey as in-house counsel and legal pioneer in Japan with Akiko Kawaguchi

Lawyer on Air

Dive into the inspiring journey of Akiko Kawaguchi, a true pioneer in the Japanese legal world. Akiko shares her groundbreaking path of becoming the first Japanese qualified lawyer at Mitsubishi Corporation. In this episode, Akiko reflects on the historical events that shaped her pursuit of justice and logic, her courageous leap into the blue ocean of in-house counsel, and her belief in the transformative power of young minds. Tune in to discover how Akiko's passion for curiosity, continuous learning and embracing new challenges is shaping the future of law.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Akiko became the first ever Japanese lawyer at a Japanese trading company

• The way Akiko took charge of her career for the benefit of Mitsubishi by leaving for another position

• Bringing about change in Chiyoda Corporation

• Starting the organisations and networks she needed, many of which you may have heard of!

• Her favourite book and other fun facts

About Akiko

Akiko Kawaguchi is Assistant Division Director, Legal & Corporate Affairs Division for Chiyoda Corporation, a global engineering company headquartered in Yokohama, Japan.

Akiko holds an LL.B. from Hitotsubashi University (1996) and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School (2005), with Harlan Fiske Stone Scholars. She is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in Japan (since 1999) and in New York, USA (since 2006).

Akiko began her professional career in 1999 as the first Japanese qualified in-house counsel at Mitsubishi Corporation, so-called sogo shosha, unique corporate model in Japan to cover broader business “from ramen to rocket,” where she supported local and international business transactions and disputes. In 2019 while working at Mitsubishi Corporation, Akiko was heavily involved in negotiation and implementation of Chiyoda Corporation’s revival plan and then she was seconded to Chiyoda Corporation to directly support them. While the work is tough, she enjoys new challenge covering legal, compliance, corporate governance, IR, PR and sustainability, among others.

Akiko has been actively involved in the Japan Legal community and has engaged in numerous activities to develop the capabilities of those who have legal background for them to break the silo to fly to higher sky. As one of the first penguins as Japanese in-house counsel, she was the founding member of the Japan In-house Lawyers Association (JILA). In 2021, she co-launched the Japanese Legal Operations Study Group to release legal operations framework “CORE8.” She is also the founding member of CLOC Japan Shared Interest Group. In 2023, she co-launched the Strategic Legal Governance Study Group with reputable Japanese companies’ GCs and chairs its subcommittee to explore the corporate function necessary to operate the company in the view of the management and to take necessary action.

Outside of work, Akiko enjoys visiting various libraries and bookstores, strolling around the neighborhood (“wonder wander” according to Stanford school) and listening to rock music.

Connect with Akiko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiko-kawaguchi-b24b8b100/

Links

Bar Jiro: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/7fa704yu0000/

JILA: https://jila.jp/eng/

CLOC Japan interest group https://cloc.org/

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Cho-Nam-Joo/dp/1471184285

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