Welcome to the September edition of my blog!

As I sit down to write, I can finally feel the relentless heat that’s gripped Tokyo for months starting to retreat, giving way to the first whispers of autumn. Just the other day, I hopped into a taxi, and to my surprise, the driver - armed with a meteorological qualification—predicted a swift tumble into winter, with autumn barely making an appearance. Now, the weather bureaus are echoing his forecast, and it seems he was spot on. Personally, I’m all for it - I adore the cooler weather, the art of layering, and the cozyness that comes with the season. So, bring it on!

September was a whirlwind of sensational sojourns and social engagements. From overseas travels to exciting events, this month was packed with memorable moments, and I've sprinkled plenty of photos throughout this blog to capture it all. I also celebrated a significant milestone in my law career and had some thrilling media moments that filled me with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection.

With that spirit of gratitude, I’m thrilled to share the standout moments of my September Sojourns with you. Let’s dive into the highlights!

1. Overseas Adventures: UK & EU for the First Time Since 2019

What a whirlwind trip I had in September! No wonder this month feels so short. After far too long, I found myself back in the UK and EU for work for the first time since 2019, and wow, did it feel good!

My visit to England was extra special, as I hadn’t set foot there since 2010! The highlight? A charming stopover in Chester, a picturesque town on the River Dee in Cheshire, not far from Liverpool and the Welsh border. This place is like stepping into a time capsule - founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century A.D., it’s surrounded by ancient Roman walls made of local red sandstone. The old city is home to the famous Chester Rows, a shopping district with two-level covered arcades and stunning Tudor-style half-timbered buildings.

With just 50 minutes to spare before dinner, I dashed around the compact city centre, taking in Chester Cathedral, the Town Hall, and the Roman ruins sprinkled throughout. I even did a little window shopping (um, perhaps some actual speedy shopping too) along the Rows - can’t resist those historic arcades!

Dinner was made even better with a local Cheshire brew, complete with a cheeky Cheshire Cat label (David Beckham, a former Cheshire resident, would be proud).

On my return, I flew through Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris and spotted pastel remnants of the Paralympic and Olympic Games. Fun fact: the muted colours were designed to match Paris’s sophisticated vibe. You heard it here first - no “clashy” bright reds for the City of Lights!

2. Media Features: Feeling the Spotlight!

• Australian Women's Weekly (NZ Edition) – Pinch me! September saw a four-page (!!) feature about little old me, written by none other than the iconic Judy Bailey. Judy took my rambling thoughts and turned them into a whimsical narrative about my upbringing, values, and legal and governance career in Japan. I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it came out. I’ve written about it on LinkedIn, and you can check it out 🔗here. 

• The Japan Times - A piece about me with a focus on pioneering as a Kiwi lawyer in Japan and my corporate governance in Japan hit The Japan Times! I was so surprised by how many people read it and reached out to comment. If you missed it, here’s the🔗here  (ping me if you hit a paywall—I’ll hook you up)

3. Jandals in Japan Podcast: Kiwi Success in Japan!

September on Jandals in Japan was packed with exciting episodes highlighting some fantastic Kiwi success stories in Japan. Here’s a quick look at what we covered:

• 🔗Episode 55: From Vine to Victory: Hear how a small-scale NZ winery made its mark in Japan with Stephanie Henderson-Grant.
  

• 🔗Episode 56: Inside Rugby’s Business – Craig Fenton dives into the growing connections between NZ Rugby and Japan.
  

• 🔗Episode 57: Behind the Koru – Discover Air New Zealand’s highs and hurdles in Japan with Hiroaki Nagahara.
  

If you haven’t subscribed yet, what are you waiting for? New episodes drop twice a month—don’t miss out on more Kiwi business stories! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here

4. Lawyer on Air Podcast: Sip and Share!

Imagine sitting down for a virtual glass of wine at my favourite Tokyo wine bar, and listening to the most inspiring inside stories from women lawyers in Japan. That’s what Lawyer on Air is all about! Here are the latest episodes:

• 🔗Season 8 Episode 7: Crafting Successful Legal Careers – Top legal recruiter Yuna Yoshimasa shares insights.
  

• 🔗Season 8 Episode 8: Continuous Learning and Adaptability – The amazing Yuko Kaneko offers her keys to success.

  
  And a little love from one of my male listeners:
  

🎉 Isn’t that lovely? Thank you, William!

5. 30 Years in Law: A Milestone Moment

On September 20, 2024, I marked a huge milestone for me - nearly 30 years since I was admitted to the Bar in New Zealand in 1995. I spent most of that year as a law clerk, so I’m counting it as 30 years (why not?!). I’ll save the big party for next year, but it’s hard not to reflect on the incredible journey so far.

Through interviews with Australian Women’s Weekly and The Japan Times, I’ve found myself looking back with deep gratitude. My career has been unpredictable and exhilarating, full of twists and turns. I barely recognize that shy, fresh-faced girl who was admitted to the bar all those years ago, but she’s still a big part of me.

Special thanks to my dear friend Ly for sending a gorgeous bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion. Here’s to many more fabulous years ahead! 🥂🌟

6. Fabulous Friendships: Blanche Soiree Fun

The Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s Blanche Soiree was an absolute blast! It’s an all-white party with everyone dressed in white (🤍, of course). The evening was complete with a killer female DJ and saxophonist, spinning 80s and 90s ballads, and we danced the night away! It was the perfect way to let loose with friends and celebrate life. 🥂🌟

7.  Another Kiwi Aussie Mixer: Wine and Winning

Thanks to the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi for hosting yet another successful Kiwi Aussie Mixer! This time we introduced door prizes, including premium NZ wine and tickets to an Australian-themed play, plus a surprise one-night stay at the Pullman. These networking events are pure fun and attract upwards of 50 people. We’re taking a short break for the rest of 2024, but we’ll be back with more exciting mixers in the new year!

8. Belgium Embassy with LLAN: Equal Marriage, Tin Tin, and a Touch of the Smurfs

As always, LLAN (Lawyers for LGBT Allies Network) did an incredible job reminding us of the progress and challenges in the fight for equal marriage. This time, we heard from Belgium’s new Ambassador and his partner, celebrating Belgium’s success with same-sex marriage, while also reflecting on Japan’s position as the only G7 country that hasn’t yet recognized marriage equality. It was a beautiful event, and I was proud to attend on behalf of Women in Law Japan, a sister organisation of LLAN. As we all say here, love is love! I’m already looking forward to the LLAN Gala in October.

9. Over to the USA with First Friday Cowboy Style at the Tokyo American Club

Howdy, partner! September’s First Friday at the Tokyo American Club was all about the USA, and it was a boot-stomping, line-dancing good time! Each month, TAC highlights a different country and theme, and this time, it was all cowboy hats and country vibes. It was extra special having Celeste visit from Melbourne, joining Alex, Felicity, and me for a night of fun. Looking forward to seeing what one of the future First Fridays brings!

Closing thoughts … 

Here’s a fun blast from the past: Many moons ago, I had a side gig dressing Japanese men in tuxedos for weddings! 🤵One of them was “Kudo”, the famous pitcher for the Tokyo Giants baseball team that had just won the majors season in Japan. He got married in Australia, and I was lucky enough to help him suit up.

Fast forward to today, I saw Kudo on TV as a commentator, talking about Shohei Ohtani’s historic baseball achievements in the US. Can you believe it? Time flies, but we haven’t aged a day, right? 😉

As we welcome autumn, I’m excited to travel once again, jump into new projects and make meaningful strides in my career and community impact. Here’s to a month filled with fresh energy and forward momentum. Wishing you all a truly fantastic October ahead! 🍂🌟

See you next month!

Catherine