Welcome to the March edition of my blog!

I ended up last month’s blog announcing the third anniversary of the Lawyer on Air Podcast. That awesome milestone was reached on 8 March 2024. I celebrated a fantastic party at the chic Indigo Shibuya Hotel with guests, fans and supporters. As promised this newsletter is bursting with highlights and photos from this fabulous soirée. I think I set the bar so high for the party of the century it will be hard to top that level of fun and excitement next time!

Here’s what else happened in March and as I write this Tokyo’s enchanting Cherry Blossom season (rather late this year) will be laying a pink blanket over the city this week as they finally started to blossom on March 29th.

This year’s International Women's Day was spent in two events:

• One where I moderated a panel for ANZCCJ on the UN topic of Accelerating Investment in Women. Event summary is here with more photos of the panellists and guests enjoying the Pullman brekkie.

• The second IWD event was where I was a cash sponsor for Women in Law Japan’s amazing panel of stunning women leaders in the Tokyo community taking the spotlight to speak on the alternative IWD topic of Inspire Inclusion. The after party was a great place to catch up with old friends and have some amazing conversations. 

💜Standing still taking a snapshot of the room laid in front of me I could for the first time truly feel the legacy of my work over the last three years as President of WILJ, to see the variety of people in the room, buzzing and enjoying conversations, unlike I’ve witnessed before. It felt like a mother bird had released her fledglings from the nest to let them fly and make friends in the forest. How enriching and wonderful that feeling was. 

• March also saw the 13th anniversary of the 3.11.2011 earthquake and tsunami. I was fortunate to return to MinamiSanriku after 12 years and it was so very moving to meet people I met back then, see the progress and yet feel so much more to be done. Rehearing stories of people who escaped the tsunami by a hair’s breadth truly brought me shivers and tears. In this blog, the photo of me in the same-ish location as 2012 and 2024. 

• I got to wear a helmet twice and a Yukata twice! Trips out of town for a short one or two nights are really refreshing and bring a change of pace, a change of scenery and thoughts can be transformed into new ideas and inspirations. I’m getting very used to wearing a helmet during my business trips and very thankful for these visits that enrich my daily view on what matters in life.

• During my fabulous quick trip to Osaka and Kyoto last month, I had the opportunity to head to the “Borderless” studio, to record as a guest on the "Unpacking Japan Podcast," which was released on March 30. Listening back I realised I talked alot about the value one contributes to corporate boards, and the legal landscape in Japan. If you have some time, watch the recording on YouTube here. 🙏Thanks to the team at Unpacking Japan and to Tobi for interviewing me with his very insightful and probing questions.

• I travelled again to Osaka for the Kiwi Aussie Mixer event (summary here) and that was the day after the Kiwi Aussie Mixer in Tokyo (event summary here)　Fun times catching up with Kiwis and Aussies and just pure networking is a wonderful thing. I love events with speakers and panels but having a good old yarn is severely underrated!

• It was great to join the Australia Day in Spring annual event. Though this year the blossoms were just too shy to be blooming in time, and it rained, the flat white, pavlova and lamingtons went down a treat! (event summary here)

• On the podcasting front, March was a another whirlwind of activity. In case you missed it last time the mic was turned on me by podcaster David Sweet's Focus Core podcast.In addition we released more captivating episodes of the Lawyer on Air Podcast, featuring inspiring conversations with legal luminaries Kaori Oka on her diplomatic journey as a lawyer and the back story on becoming a Partner in a Big 4 Japanese law firm with Madoka Shimada.

• Your support means the world to me, so don't forget to leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts – your words can inspire others to tune in, and share with their friends!

• And let's not overlook the Jandals in Japan Podcast, where my co-host Jayne Nakata and I talked with Tony Clifford from Pan Pac Forest Products and got into the business of forestry and the connections there between Japan and New Zealand.

With so much engaging content, you won't want to miss an episode – so hit that subscribe button now!

And finally … 

At the end of this month's journey, I find myself reflecting on the magical moments shared with friends—moments that transcend time and fill the heart with warmth. From savouring Okonomiyaki in Osaka with Lani to getting lost in conversation amidst the cherry blossoms during Hanami with my Tokyo friends… It's these ordinary yet extraordinary moments that make life truly special.

As April approaches, I invite you to embark on this journey with me, seeking out those precious moments that transport us to another world and nourish our souls. Let's make memories together that will last a lifetime.

Will you join me on this adventure?

See you next month!
Catherine