Catherine’s Monthly Wrap Up -July 2024
Welcome to the JULY edition of my blog!
This month, I’ve found myself incredibly grateful for Instagram. Why, you ask? Well, in Japan, it's nearly impossible to catch a broadcast featuring Kiwi athletes at the Olympics or Paralympics. Despite having two official broadcasters here, they mainly cover Japanese athletes. So, you can imagine my excitement as I’ve been glued to Instagram, soaking in everything from the flag bearers' ceremony with its stunning views of the Seine River to Celine Dion's mesmerising performance on the Eiffel Tower balcony. It’s amazing how social media bridges the gap and lets us experience the Olympics from afar, witnessing the energy and passion of the games with the crowds.
Speaking of Celine Dion, her comeback performance was nothing short of spectacular. From overcoming immense challenges to delivering an ethereal performance in a Dior dress that took 5,000 hours to create, her resilience and artistry were truly inspiring. Dion’s spirit reminds me that we all have the strength to overcome obstacles and flourish, no matter the difficulties we face.
As the Olympics continue to unfold, I’m eagerly anticipating the extraordinary feats of the world’s top athletes. Their journeys—how they handle both victory and defeat—offer invaluable lessons not only in sports but also in life. These moments of triumph and adversity provide insights into how we navigate challenges and celebrate successes, both in the boardroom and beyond.
With the spirit of these incredible athletes in mind and a deep sense of gratitude for being able to witness their achievements from Japan, I’m excited to share the highlights of this past month with you.
Let’s dive into the July adventures!
1. Guest lecturer in Corporate Governance at a University in Tokyo
It was a pleasure to speak on several key themes on corporate governance at Hitotsubashi University business school and I got a certificate to prove I did the work. It’s an honour to be able to help students envisage some of the challenges and joys of working in governance in Japan and I hope that my experience-powered insights could be of use to them.
2. Panellist on How to Build an Effective Board (CriticalEye program)
I was one of the panellists on the Chair & NED (Non Executive Director) Forum in July. This was online with people attending in Asia and the UK. We took a look at how a Chair sets about building an effective Board.
The session explored skill-sets, chemistry and how to ensure you have NEDs who are on top of reporting, governance and risk, but also have a feel for the business and what’s needed to support a leadership team in driving high performance.
Areas we discussed included: Keeping close to operations and the business, the role of independent directors, the relationship with the CEO and senior leadership team, board structure in Japan vs. other jurisdictions, committees, value creation and board performance. It was enriching to hear the other speakers and receive the perceptive questions from the attendees.
I truly welcome opportunities like this to hone in further my expertise on speaking about corporate governance as an outside board member on corporate boards in Japan.
3. Jandals in Japan Podcast
This podcast is the best show about New Zealanders doing business in Japan, bringing The Land of the Long White Cloud to The Land of the Rising Sun.
This month we released Episode 54 with the insights from Sealord’s Sales Manager Jason Plato.
In this episode you’ll hear:
Hakata-ben, Kansai-ben, Iwaki-ben and Tottori-ben: learn a few words in Japanese dialects
Jason’s unique bootcamp experience of joining a regional Japanese bank as a new recruit
Jason’s advice for anyone entering Japan for the first time and how he was able to transition from banking to seafood
Future opportunities for New Zealand and Japan to collaborate in new ways
Not subscribed yet? New episodes release semi-monthly - Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here
4. Lawyer on Air Podcast
The Lawyer on Air Podcast is the place where I pour you a virtual glass of wine at my favourite virtual wine bar in Tokyo while you listen to inspirational inside stories from my guests. We relax and talk about what it’s like in life, and in the law, for women lawyers in Japan.
There were three podcasts in Season 8 released in July
S8 Episode 4: I navigated the waters of the career of Gillian Musgrave where she spoke on her niche career in maritime law:
In this episode you’ll hear:
How ships featured in Gillian’s childhood and how she steered her way into maritime law
P&I Clubs: what they are and what it’s like to work for one
Gillian’s top tips for success in the law and in Japan
Her favourite late night cocktail bar, a current favourite book and other fun facts
Click to listen here!
S8 Episode 5: Stories of patience, perseverance and becoming a global lawyer were on the agenda for my conversation with Miyako Ikuta.
In this episode you’ll hear:
How an early frustration with a lack of privacy from her family set Miyako on the path to become a lawyer
How a one year exchange in France led to Miyako becoming one of a few Japanese Advocat (Lawyer)
Miyako’s passion for the law and her efforts to bring about positive changes in Japan
What you need to study up on when you get shoulder tapped for a board role
Click to listen here!
S8 Episode 6: Bonnie Kong joined me for a conversation on effortless success in her career. The upshot is that anything that looks effortless is typically the result of lots of effort!
In this episode you’ll hear:
Why nothing is wasted when you learn continuously in your law career
What it’s like to take on the leadership role of partner in a firm
Inspiration from tennis star Roger Federer on effortlessness
Other fun facts and a life lesson related to cycling
Click to listen here!
It was also wonderful to catch up with Gillian Musgrave in person at the Women in Law Japan Summer Party and to also see Bonnie Kong there too. I never knew Bonnie was a big fan girl of mine. It’s times like these when people tell you on a podcast, that you are the inspiration for them that I realise we may never know who we are influencing on a day to day basis and that it is so vital to try and be conscious of impact in every small or big action.
🎉CELEBRATING
5. Matariki gathering of Kiwis in Japan at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo
Thanks to the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo, I had the pleasure of attending the Matariki event for all Kiwis in Japan on the first weekend in July. Twinkling in the New Zealand winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. For Māori, the appearance of Matariki heralds a time of remembrance, joy and peace.
It is a time for communities to come together and celebrate. In the 2000s, it became more common for both Māori and Pākehā to celebrate Matariki. From 2022, a public holiday marking Matariki will be held in June or July each year and in Japan things have shifted from having a Kiwi community gathering in February to this event in July. It was lovely to catch up at the event with Misa Kitaoka (a recent guest on the Jandals in Japan Podcast), her partner the Ambassador to Japan from New Zealand, their son, and also have a chat with Natsuko from Halo Sports.
6. Criticaleye reaches 100 Board Mentors (I’m one of them!)
Reaching 100 members in any community is a milestone. That’s what the Criticaleye Board Mentor community has just accomplished. As a relatively new member of this group, I am thrilled to see my teeny photo among the diverse and esteemed group in the mosaic of 100 headshots. This is more than just a visual representation - it embodies the proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." 🎯Each mentor brings unique skills and experiences, creating a dynamic matrix of expertise that supports boards and CEOs worldwide. I'm proud to contribute my insights from Japanese business to this global tapestry. Here's to many more milestones and continued success for the CriticalEye community!
🔗Original post celebrating 100 Mentors
7. My appointment to the Advisory Board for Women in Law Japan
I am also excited to join the newly established Advisory Board for Women in Law Japan. I’ll be there alongside Rika Beppu, Jacky Scanlan-Dyas, Sam Inohara, and Kenji Tagaya! The WILJ Advisory Board acts as a sounding board for the Executive Committee of WILJ to bounce ideas off and get access to expertise that might not ordinarily be available, promote the organisation in the community, and connect WILJ as an organisation to new audiences that will help expand reach and depth of WILJ’s impact.
I can't wait to continue the legacy of leadership with this diverse group of senior lawyer leaders in Tokyo, to take Women In Law Japan to the next level and look forward to continuing this journey together and making a positive impact in the Japan legal community. ⚖️ ❤️💜
8. Women in Law Japan is now an officially incorporated NPO! 🎊
Women In Law Japan (WILJ) has officially completed its incorporation as a general incorporated association 一般社団法人 marking a significant milestone in their journey since launching in 2016. As the immediate past President of WILJ, my heartfelt thanks go out to all the amazing supporters who made this possible and to all the members who joined us at the Summer party where the filing of the incorporation documents was announced!
Special appreciation goes to Hisateru Goda and the team at Morrison Foerster Tokyo office, for their outstanding work in the incorporation WILJ. The incorporation process was initiated during my presidency and successfully completed by the 2024 leadership team co-Presidents and Vice President Laarni Vinas, Angela Yuen & Xue Wang.
Closing thoughts …
While I’m not usually a sports fanatic, I recently had the chance to experience something quintessentially Japanese: my very first baseball game. Admittedly, it’s a bit embarrassing that, despite baseball being the most beloved sport here, I had never attended a game in my 22 years in Japan. The atmosphere at Tokyo Dome, where I’d previously seen Bruno Mars, was electric. The energy was palpable - immersed in team colours and surrounded by a symphony of band music and chants that seemed almost as important as the game itself. I was grateful for the air conditioning and the opportunity provided by Toyota, and I definitely plan to return for another game. For now, though, I’m content with some good armchair sports watching. Witnessing Simone Biles return to the Olympics with her breathtaking beam routine was profoundly moving. Just as Celine Dion captivated me with her voice, Simone is redefining what it means to be a champion. It’s not just about medals or scores; it’s about having the courage to take a step back, recover, and come back stronger with a clearer purpose. If I ever need to take a break from my own passions, I’ll remember these two incredible women and their resilience. Their journeys remind me that setbacks are just stepping stones to even greater achievements.
As August rolls in, I'll be taking some time to recharge and reflect. I look forward to enjoying the variety of sports on display over the coming weeks. Whether you're in the midst of winter or basking in summer, I hope you have a fantastic month ahead!
See you next month!
Catherine