Yoshie Midorikawa is an inspiring international dispute resolution lawyer and a Co-founding Partner at Miura & Partners who has built a remarkable career on her own terms. From initially refusing to use English to becoming a leading voice in cross-border litigation - using English -, Yoshie shares her unconventional journey with refreshing honesty and humour.

Discover how this avid reader of detective stories transformed her love of mysteries into a successful legal career, why saying "no" at the start proved pivotal, and how she helped establish a law firm with over 30% female partners - a rarity in Japan. Whether you are an aspiring lawyer, seeking board positions, or simply curious about building an authentic career in a traditional culture, this episode offers practical wisdom wrapped in warmth and wit.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Yoshie's surprising declaration against using English that later reversed completely

• Why having 30% women in leadership transforms workplace dynamics and how Yoshie helped create this at her firm

• The importance of switching from detail-focused analysis to big-picture thinking for board roles

• Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Yoshie

Yoshie Midorikawa is a co-founding partner of Miura & Partners and has led the firm’s international dispute resolution practice since its launch in 2019. Since her admission to the bar in 2007, she has advised on a broad range of dispute resolution matters, with a particular focus on complex commercial disputes.

In addition to her practice as external counsel, Yoshie serves as an independent director on the boards of several listed Japanese companies across industries including consulting, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and real estate. Her board experience enhances her ability to deliver commercially grounded, practical legal solutions tailored to business realities.

Yoshie has been recognised as Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2025. She is also ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Dispute Resolution by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific since 2023, currently shortlisted as Japan Female Lawyer of the Year by asialaw Awards 2025, and is recognised by Best Lawyers in Japan for her work in Litigation, International Arbitration, and Corporate Governance and Compliance.

She actively contributes to the legal community through regular publications and speaking engagements, particularly on Japanese law and cross-border dispute resolution including third-party litigation funding.

Admitted to practice in Japan and New York, Yoshie is a Council Member of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration (MCIA), and serves on the panel of arbitrators at the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), the Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC), and the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC).

She holds a J.D. from the University of Tokyo School of Law and an LL.M. from Columbia Law School.

Outside of her legal work, Yoshie enjoys spending time with her family and finding balance through yoga. She recently acquired the skills to sew dresses based on her daughter’s drawings, which she finds very rewarding. She is also a devoted fan of US and UK courtroom and intelligence dramas. Her passion for solving puzzles dates back to her school days, when she was an avid reader of detective stories.

Connect with Yoshie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoshie-midorikawa-7663aa83/

Links

Le Marquis: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/dining/marquis/

Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do: https://amzn.asia/d/bj7iR6Q

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

What happens when a lawyer decides success isn't about climbing the ladder, but about creating freedom? Join Catherine as she talks with Mika Fukutomi, who traded her career at top-tier international law firms for entrepreneurship - and built an app to solve one of Japan's biggest business succession challenges: who will maintain the SMEs in Japan with aging leaders and no successors. If you are curious about how legal skills translate into unexpected entrepreneurial ventures then this is the episode for you.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How Mika moved from private practice to in-house to business roles to entrepreneurship without a dramatic leap (and why that matters)

• Vibe coding for lawyers - The surprising truth about how anyone can build an app using AI, even without coding knowledge

• Why critical thinking remains invaluable outside traditional practice, and how Mika uses it as her super power

• Redefining success on your own terms

About Mika

Mika Fukutomi is an investor, educator, and consultant specializing in Japan’s private markets. Blending her legal background with an entrepreneurial spirit, she recently launched Akamira.ai, a platform designed to bring transparency to Japan’s often-hidden SME sector. As Managing Partner of INV Japan, she pioneers new ways for global investors and entrepreneurs to engage with Japan’s business ecosystem.

Before founding her investment and advisory businesses, Mika trained and practiced law at Clifford Chance and White & Case, and qualified as a Solicitor of England & Wales. She later held senior leadership positions at Deutsche Bank and MetLife, serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO and Corporate Secretary, where she gained deep experience in governance and corporate leadership.

With decades of combined experience in law, investment banking, and entrepreneurship, Mika’s career reflects how a legal foundation can serve as a powerful springboard into new industries. Her expertise spans angel investing, private equity, real estate, SME M&A, and corporate governance. She is also a graduate of the Board Director Training Institute (BDTI), underscoring her commitment to governance excellence.

Mika’s passion lies in helping others pursue their purpose. Through her work at INV Japan and her educational initiatives, she shows how building on a legal background can lead to unexpected and fulfilling career pathways.

Mika loves being in nature with her dog and planning trips to meet up with her son and his girlfriend.

Connect with Mika

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikafukutomi/

Links

Akamira App: https://akamira.ai/

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair

Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. Akemi joins us for an honest conversation about career pivots, personal challenges, and finding your own path in the legal profession.

From walking an hour to elementary school in rural Gunma to becoming a respected M&A and data privacy expert in Tokyo, Akemi shares the unexpected turns that shaped her career.

This episode is perfect for lawyers at any stage who want to hear authentic stories about building a meaningful career while staying true to yourself.

If you enjoyed this episode and it inspired you in some way, we’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Head over to Apple Podcasts to leave a review and we’d love it if you would leave us a message here!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Why Akemi nearly turned down partner track due to family planning fears, and the conversation that changed everything

• How a simple word from an in-house boss revolutionised her understanding of what clients really want

• How having children forced a career pivot that ultimately expanded her expertise and made her more valuable

• Why being called "old-fashioned" became a badge of honour and a lesson in embracing diverse perspectives

About Akemi

Akemi Suzuki is a corporate M&A partner at the Tokyo office of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu. She has 25 years of experience representing Japanese and international companies in a wide range of complex cross-border transactions. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s technology, data and start-up practice team and advises multinational clients on various data privacy and data governance matters. She is a two-time winner of the Woman Lawyer of the Year award from the ALB Law Awards, and has received many other professional accolades. In addition to her extensive client work, Akemi is passionate about initiatives addressing societal issues, such as mental well-being and equity & inclusion. Akemi has served as the firm’s DE&I committee for six years and now leads the firm’s pro bono efforts.

Connect with Akemi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akemi-suzuki-graham/

Links

Wellness App mentioned by Catherine: “Insight Timer” https://insighttimer.com/

Connect with Catherine

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair