**February: A Birthday Month to Remember! 🎂🎉**

Because why settle for a birthday when you can have a birthday month (even if it is deprived of a few days compared to other months!)? February was filled with celebrations, surprises, and standout moments, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible friends, experiences, and opportunities I have in this amazing city of Tokyo.

Here’s a snapshot of what shaped my February ⬇️

🎁 Gifts That Sparked Joy

There’s something magical about friends who just get you. They know what makes you light up, and this year’s birthday gifts hit all the right notes:

💐 Flowers: A gorgeous posy that’s still going strong after 17 days? Now that’s quality!

🍾 Champagne: A stunning bottle of Heidsieck Champagne housed in a lipstick-shaped case (because luxury should be fun, too).

👜 Kate Spade: A show-stopping cardholder case, perfect for parties and social events.

🍶 Sake Glasses: Delicate, golden-flecked beauties and just waiting to be christened!

Each gift had me written all over it, and I love that my friends put so much thought into making my birthday extra special.

🎶 Last Year, a Swiftie; This Year, a Perfumer

Last year’s birthday highlight? Seeing Taylor Swift live in Tokyo and officially becoming a Swiftie (and no, I’m not apologizing for it).

This year? I went for ascent-sational(get it??) experience - crafting my ownsignature perfumes with friends! The process was pure magic, letting our senses run wild to create completely unique fragrances. Now, I have two one-of-a-kind scents that I personally blended, and I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a bit of creativity and sensory indulgence.

🍫 Valentine’s in Japan: Where Chocolate is Queen

If you really want to experience Valentine’s Day at its peak, Japan is the place. The sheer variety of chocolates is mind-blowing and oh so beautifully crafted, impossibly cute, and sometimes almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

This year, I received some adorable Galentine’s gifts, reminding me how fun this season can be. But here’s the thing! Japan does Valentine’s a little differently. Only women give chocolates to men on February 14, and a month later (March 14, aka White Day), men return the favor. Who started this tradition? Does it still baffle every foreigner living here? Absolutely. Well I did a bit of digging and it turns out that this tradition began in 1958, as a chocolate sales strategy when Kobe-based Japanese chocolate company Morozoff proclaimed Valentine's Day "a day for girls to give guys chocolate and tell them that they love them." …and everyone believed it! Perhaps that is why “White Day” came into being to even up the balance sheet and create wa (harmony), which would be very Japanese indeed.

Lawyer on Air: Conversations That Stay With You

This month on Lawyer on Air, I had the pleasure of hosting two incredible guests:

🎤 Michiko Hirai (Amazon Web Services) – A career story about Innovation, leadership, and the power of tech and moving from sales to being a lawyer

🎤 Earl Rivera-Dolera – An awesome career journey exemplifying authenticity, and breaking barriers being Asian, a women and and Arbitrator.

Both conversations left me thinking long after we wrapped, and if you missed them, catch up here:

🎧 Michiko Hirai Episode
🎧 Earl Rivera-Dolera Episode

🏉 Jandals in Japan: From the Rugby Field to Leadership Lessons

This month, in Episode 61 of “Jandals” co-host Jayne Nakata and I had the absolute privilege of speaking with Sir Steve Hansen who is the legendary former All Blacks Coach and current Head Coach of Toyota Verblitz.

Beyond rugby, he shared his deep respect for Japanese culture, his coaching philosophy, and even his favorite treat from a Japanese convenience store (because priorities!). His insights into team dynamics, questioning norms, and pushing for excellence were nothing short of inspiring. A must-listen for anyone who leads a team, or aspires to.

🎧Sir Steve Hansen Episode

🚗 Out and About in Tokyo: Firsts & Faves

🏎 My First Ride in a Toyota Century: Often referred to as the Rolls-Royce of Japan, reserved for VIPs, celebrities, and even the Emperor. This ride was pure luxury and it glided like a dream. This is one bucket list item checked off!

👩‍💼 Women Corporate Directors Event: Kicked off the new year with a fantastic gathering, featuring insights from Ajinomoto’s top management.

🏗 Inside Woven City: I donned a hard hat for an exclusive look at Toyota’s futuristic test-course city at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Seeing the layout of the buildings and accommodations for Phase One up close made me realize just how phenomenal it is to bring such a bold vision to life in just five years. I visited on my actual Birthday so this was a super special memory.

🌏 Kiwi Aussie Mixer at the Pullman: Over 50 of us came together and there was no panel, no speakers, just pure catching up, connecting, and conversation. Because sometimes, the best networking happens without a formal agenda.

🌟 Akiyo Takes Over Tokyo!

One of my star Lawyer on Air guests, Akiyo Inoko Hewett, was in town, and we finally met in person for the first time!

She didn’t just listen to every single podcast episode; she took the mic and turned the spotlight on me for a three-part series on lawyering, leadership, and breaking into governance roles. We had an unforgettable lawyer gathering, and let’s just say …. there’s more to come!

Links to the episodes:
🎧Board Success insights
🎧Advice for Aspiring Board Members
🎧Renew and Reimagine the Stage for 2025
🎧Akiyo’s Lawyer on Air Episode - Self Branding through kindness and thoughtfulness

🌸 Nearly Spring = Cherry Blossom Watch Begins!

Forget the calendar because spring in Japan is officially signaled by Starbucks changing their cups to pink, cherry-blossom-covered designs. The real blooms are just around the corner, and I can already feel the fresh energy of the new season rolling in.

I’m excited to see what co-creations, connections, and surprises spring (literally) into life next month. What’s on your radar? Let’s make March marvelous!

🌸 See you next month! 🌸

Catherine