Yoko Oshima is Associate General Counsel of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Japan. In this inspiring episode that spans continents, cultures, and cutting-edge technology, Yoko's journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership, purposeful career building, embracing opportunity and seeking support. Yoko shares powerful insights on adaptive leadership, the importance of being true to your values, and why seeking support is actually a sign of strength, not vulnerability.

Whether you're navigating cultural shifts in your career, looking to embrace emerging technology, or seeking to lead with authenticity, Yoko's wisdom will resonate long after the episode ends.

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 she overcame the cultural shift from being "blessed with opportunities" in Japan to proactively raising her hand in competitive New York law firms

• Why she turned down a permanent leadership role twice, and the crucial lesson this taught her about embracing opportunity

• The innovative approach to helping legal teams adopt AI and why AI is like training a new associate

• Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Yoko

Yoko is Associate General Counsel of Microsoft and leads its Corporate, External Affairs in Japan. Before joining Microsoft in May 2021. she was with General Electric and her last role before the departure was the general counsel of GE Japan and GE Digital Asia.

Before going in-house, she was in private practice, with Anderson Mori in Tokyo (first half) and Clearly Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton LLP in New York (second half).

She is qualified in Japan and the State of New York, USA.

She has an LLB from Hitotsubashi University, a Master of Law from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics and an LLM from Harvard Law School.

Committed to diversity and inclusion and the social impact, she is a board member of Lawyers for LGBT and Allies Network in Japan and a statutory auditor of Earth Company.

She recharges through art, music, nature and family and friends.

Connect with Yoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoko-oshima-36a7396/

Links

Adaptive Leadership: https://hbr.org/2020/09/5-principles-to-guide-adaptive-leadership

Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith: https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/tools-and-weapons/

The Culture Map, Erin Meyers: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Alexander Dmitrenko is the Managing Partner of Ashurst’s Tokyo office and a dear friend Catherine has been wanting to introduce to the Lawyer on Air listeners. Get ready to hear how you can be successful in Japan and being a good person is on top of the list. If you are wondering about the culture and lifestyle of working at a firm such as Ashurst, make sure you catch this 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:

• How Alexander’s upbringing in the USSR influenced his career choice in the law

• How the transition from New York private practice to Japanese in house changed him

• Becoming Managing Partner and tips for the recruitment process

• His favourite restaurant and other fun facts

About Alexander

Alexander Dmitrenko is a partner in Ashurst’s Tokyo dispute resolution practice group.

He has nearly 20 years of experience specialising in compliance matters, internal investigations, and dispute resolution. He has substantial experience advising Asian and other companies on matters related to sanctions and export controls, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, cyber security and cyber fraud, ESG and forced labour and other compliance related laws and regulations. Alexander has gained particular expertise and client praise for his pragmatic approach to establishing compliance policies and procedures, undertaking due diligence exercises and conducting internal and regulatory investigations.

Alexander has conducted over a dozen sensitive internal and regulatory investigations covering allegations of bribery, accounting misconduct, internal violations, harassment and product liability in such jurisdictions as China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russia, United States and Vietnam.

Alexander also advises financial institutions and other companies on compliance and risk mitigation measures related to US-China regulatory tensions and potential conflict of laws. He has particular expertise with airspace and the airline industry through his extensive work for Changi Airports International and on Sojitz' airport projects in Russia and Myanmar.

He is a member of our firm's specialized Sanctions as well as Corporate Crime groups. Given his unique skillset and expertise, he has been advising on various sanctions targeting Russia, from legal, regulatory and practical perspectives.

Alexander teaches, lectures and publishes extensively on various compliance-related topics. He chairs the Japan Subcommittee of Temple Law School’s Center for Compliance and Ethics. He is an active member of the NPO community in Japan, particularly through his leadership at LLAN and TELL. Alexander leads our firm’s pro bono efforts to provide legal and other assistance to Ukrainian evacuees. He is a true diversity & inclusion champion. Alexander is also a proud honorary Ambassador for the beautiful island of Hachijojima.

Alexander is qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, Russia, and is a registered foreign lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) in Japan. He speaks English, French, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, including his dog Mykola (Miki), learning Japanese to which he devotes 45-60 minutes each day, spending time on Hachijojima, including gardening (he even grew a square watermelon a few years ago), tennis, yoga and his latest hobby is sanshin on which he performed at Tama Parthenon during a special fundraising concert for Tohoko & Ukraine.

Connect with Alexander

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-dmitrenko/

Links

Two Rooms: https://tworooms.jp/en/

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Tomoko Nakajima is not just any partner at Freshfields, she is an absolute trailblazer in the legal profession in Japan. You will hear how Tomoko tutored herself to pass the bar without attending law school and overcame deeply entrenched Japanese cultural “norms” with her courage and willingness to speak up and ask questions. Tomoko shares what it was like to be part of the historical Kansai Airport deal, and how she eventually became a partner at Freshfields. Along the way, Tomoko was challenged to stick up for herself and for her values, revealing her superpower. Her story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the impact of making bold decisions. Hear Tomoko as you’ve never heard before in this riveting 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:

• How Tomoko passed the Japanese bar without attending law school

• How she made a positive impact on one of the biggest infrastructure transactions in Japanese history

• The ultimatum she gave her firm when they did not offer her a partnership (yes, she did that!)

• Her legal superpower and other great insights

About Tomoko

Tomoko Nakajima is a Partner in the Tokyo office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and head of Japan’s M&A practice.

Tomoko has more than two decades of experience in M&A becoming an M&A expert. Her approach to M&A is international combined with a deep knowledge of the Japanese market. Tomoko truly understands the challenges Japanese clients face when entering or acquiring in overseas markets and works closely with clients to execute their complex cross-border mandates. Tomoko also advises on real estate and infrastructure transactions.

Tomoko received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs in 1997 and passed the Japanese Bar in 1996 and started her career at Shimazaki International Law Office, a boutique law firm specializing in capital markets and venture capital.

From 1997 to 1999, Tomoko attended the legal training and research institute of the Supreme Court of Japan.

In 2002, Tomoko joined Freshfields in Tokyo as an Associate and received the opportunity to study at the University of Chicago Law School, obtaining her master’s degree in law in 2005 and she was admitted to the California Bar in 2006, then returned to Freshfields Tokyo in 2007. Tomoko was made a Partner in 2023.

Tomoko was named Woman Lawyer of the Year (Law Firm) in the ALB Japan Law Awards 2024. In her spare time, Tomoko enjoys (muscle) training, Pilates and listening to music.

Connect with Tomoko

Website: https://www.freshfields.com/en/find-a-lawyer/n/nakajima-tomoko

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair