That is March all over and done with for 2023! 

The 🌸cherry blossoms🌸 came out earlier in Tokyo than predicted and earlier than historical records to date, due to the unusually warmer weather. The blossoms were at their peak … just when it poured down with four consecutive days of rain! But a silver lining was that the rain reduced the mercury so far down, that instead of the petals fluttering away, the blossoms held tight to keep warm on the tree. This extended their life and allowed people to have their cherry blossom viewing sitting under the trees at least for a couple of days. It is almost like the blossoms knew that we hadn’t been able to celebrate them for 3 years and they wanted to give us a show, so held on to give us a last burst. There is some lesson in that analogy to sticking to something for the better outcome! Thank you sakura blossoms!   

As I mentioned in my last blog, my home country of New Zealand has suffered devastating damage with successive flooding and extensive burden to more than 300,000 households in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions from the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle in February this year. If you enjoy premium wine from Hawkes Bay and fruit and other produce from this area you are still able to get continuous supply into your hands in Japan (phew!) BUT there has been a lot of damage and impact to the livelihoods of the people living in the affected areas. 

If you are interested in supporting even in some little way, I encourage you to attend one, two or all of the trio of great Kiwi BBQ events in Tokyo at Tokyo Tower, Chiba at Mother Farm and in Shiga at Rosa & Berry Tawada and the details are below. 

It’s inexpensive to sign up and proceeds from tickets, and (partial/full) gate sales and BBQ/wine sales go direct to New Zealand Red Cross. Every little bit helps! I’ll be at the Tokyo Tower event so you can come and catch up with me there.  

Cyclone Fundraising events information in English

Cyclone Fundraising events information in Japanese 

In other news these are some wrap-up highlights from the month of March! 

Charity continues -

• I attended the 20th Anniversary of the Pink Ball to raise funds for Japan’s breast cancer awareness activities, including holding Hana-me seminars, publishing their bilingual women’s health magazine PiNK, and hosting PiNK Beauty Party events.
  
  It was fabulous to attend with Debbie visiting from overseas. I’ve added a photo here of a pair of red high heels in handcuffs. I wore flat shoes to the Ball. First time e-vah! Since my “runner’s knee” injury to my knee in February I can’t wear heels … and probably may not again, so this photo captures how I feel about high heels right now and what they do to make us women captured and conform to society expectations.
  
  I was delighted to see I am not the only one and that I am in brilliantly royal company because none other than THE Dame Helen Mirren also wore sneakers to Cannes! 
  
  
  

• I also went out in the field to help support my friend Jennifer Shinkai run the Tokyo Marathon. It was cold. My knee hurt. But I could only think of my buddy fighting her way round 26 miles of this course and that kept me going to keep cheering for her. Jennifer raised NZD $100 per mile so in total, she managed to pull together NZD $2,600 for her donation to Outrun Cancer charity. Well done Jen you superstar! 
  
  
  

Living my Word of the year -

• I announced my Word of the Year last blog = BOLD. This word means to me showing a fearless spirit and a willingness to take risks and take action when the occasion calls for it.
  
  I’m living that word. How exactly is it showing up you ask?
  
  I saw a law event posted on LinkedIn with a photo of an ALL MALE panel (yep called a “manel”). I made a comment in the post, that it was a shame that the group held itself out as bringing together the “best in legal minds” but did not bother to include any women lawyers in the panel. This was to a top four law firm so it ruffled a few feathers. 
  
  I believe “bold” does not connote rudeness or disrespect; it rather shows great self-confidence in stepping up to say what others are thinking but don’t say. Since there are only two women featured in the whole of this day-long conference (!) I have also made some other comments to the organisers. I hope I am in a position to report in a later blog that this one small effort changed the makeup of this panel, and the rest of the conference speakers, panelists and panel discussion facilitators.

International Women's Day celebrations 

• This year I got to celebrate IWD twice. First was to kick off IWD with the ANZCCJ IWD Breakfast featuring Dr Kate Kitagawa. What insights she gave and I wrote a post here about my one big takeaway

• The next big fantastic event was the Women in Law Japan on the Embrace Equity theme for 2023. Sooooo many great insights which I captured on my Linkedin Post here

Meeting with American Bar Association

• As Co-Chair of the Legal Services and IP Committee (LSIP) of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, I had the privilege of meeting with the President and team from ABA. As soon as it was mentioned we could whip off our masks, we did and got down to business talking about the ways we can help each other with sharing resources, information and access to advocacy.

• The same day I went to the Bar Association and heard updates on since it was IWD Week I wore my mimosa brooch! 

• I also caught up with the team on the LSIP for casual drinks and spare ribs - very American! I can verify that meeting up in person 

Lawyer on Air Podcast

• Lawyer on Air Podcast turned TWO on March 8th. With nearly 50 guests recorded and 5 Seasons in play this is my number one passion project that enhances my portfolio career and life in Japan. Thank you to all my guests for their trust in me to tell your stories to the world! 

• I released TWO new episodes of the Lawyer on Air Podcast with Andrea Sanada Ng in Season 5 Episode 4, on her topic of “Pivot to unlock your career potential” and I talked about the world of common law and civil law in international arbitration with Carlotta Bruessel in Season 5 Episode 5 of the podcast.

If you are enjoying my podcast episodes, I would love you to take just a few minutes of your time over this holiday break to leave me a rating on Apple podcasts, and write a short review so more people can hear about the podcast after reading your words to encourage them to do so. Thank you!

Jandals in Japan Podcast

• The Jandals in Japan Podcast turned one year old on 24 March! It was fabulous to share this milestone with over a quarter-of-a-century in guest episodes at New Zealand restaurant Wakanui, opposite Tokyo Tower. From a dream into reality, this has been a passion project for Jayne Nakata and myself and we love bringing the stories of humble Kiwis to the airwaves to showcase the brilliance of these Kiwis successful in business in Japan.

• Together with co-host Jayne Nakata we released another two new episodes of the Jandals in Japan Podcast. 

• Episode 26 was with Jamie Joseph, the amazing and extremely humble coach of the Brave Blossoms - the National Rugby Team in Japan. 

• In Episode 27, we went into the world of being a TV personality in Japan and the art of Kyudo with Jess Gerrity

  Subscribe to the podcast and our newsletter so you don’t miss out on an episode. 

  Follow an easy-to-click link here to go straight to your fave podcast player to listen.

And finally… 

It was a delight to at last announce my nomination to be appointed to the audit and supervisory board of the world’s biggest car maker Toyota. I can’t wait to start this role in June. I am excited at the prospect of forging ahead the corporate governance mandate in Japan through this position.

It is truly an honour to support the Board of the biggest company and largest employer in Japan, and the leader in car manufacturing, moving to its next phase as a mobility company. 

Check out the photo of me in the Lexus showroom in a one off model. It suits me don’t you think? 😉

That’s all from me for this month. See you in April.

Catherine