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

Meet Mina Hoshizawa, a dynamic in-house legal counsel who has built her career on adaptability and genuine connection. Now leading legal and compliance functions at Nihon Servier, she shares candid insights about unlearning perfectionism, embracing vulnerability as a leadership strength, and why being fluid like water has been her career superpower. If you are considering the transition to an in-house position or thinking you might skip the law firm experience and focus on in-house, 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:

• Why even practical motivations can lead to passionate careers

• The art of "unlearning" from private practice what lawyers must focus on to win at in-house roles

• Her vulnerable leadership approach and what she often says to her team

• Practical strategies for establishing legal functions from zero

• Where to look for opportunities if you intend to skip the law firm experience

About Mina

Mina Hoshizawa is Head of Legal and Compliance at Servier in Japan, sitting on the Leadership Team. Before joining Servier, she belonged to Bayer in Japan and served as Compliance Manager for the entire company and as Legal Manager for its Consumer Health Business and Crop Science Business. Mina is a qualified Japanese bengoshi (attorney), and before joining Bayer, she worked at Freshfields’ Tokyo office. She is the leader of a working group of the Governance and Legal Committee of The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). She was selected as LexisNexis® UNDER 40 2024, Japan Rising Star 2024 by GC Powerlist Legal 500, and became the first JILA In-house award winner in the Compliance category in Individual Awards 2023.

In her free time Mina likes to play badminton with her daughter.

Connect with Mina

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mina-hoshizawa-76ab01262/

Connect with Catherine

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

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

Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano is the first female Philippine Ambassador to Japan and has carved a path from corporate law through politics to international diplomacy. Ambassador Garcia-Albano shares how her family's legal legacy, a pivotal pro bono case that led to a murder exoneration, and her philosophy of "doing your best in everything" propelled her through nine years in Congress in the Philippines, to representing 340,000 Filipino citizens living and working in Japan. Ambassador Garcia-Albano explains how legal training provides the perfect foundation for diplomatic success. Listen in to hear the differences between being a corporate lawyer and diplomatic work. ** A special thanks to our Season 2 Ep 9 guest Lani Vinas for introducing us to Ambassador Garcia-Albano.

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 will hear:

• The power of pro bono legal work - How a murder exoneration case as a young lawyer validated Garcia-Albano's career path

• Strategic career transitions - Why she views her journey from law to politics to diplomacy as "natural progression" rather than reinvention

• Breaking diplomatic barriers - Her experience as the first female Philippine Ambassador to Japan and debunking myths about women needing to "lead like men"

• Innovative embassy operations - Inside the world's largest Philippine Embassy, from mobile consular vans to online voting pilots across Japan and three Pacific nations

About Ambassador Garcia-Albano

Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano is a seasoned public servant and lawyer with a distinguished career in government.

Appointed in 2022 as the Philippine Ambassador to Japan, she brings with her decades of experience in public service, law, and legislative leadership.

A trailblazer from the start, she ranked 3rd in the 1990 Philippine Bar Examinations and was the first female president of the Ateneo Law School Student Government. She served three consecutive terms as Congresswoman for Davao City's 2nd District, where she held key leadership positions, including Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. Her earlier roles span the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of Senator Mar Roxas, and various legal and administrative posts.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano holds degrees from The George Washington University and Marymount College in the U.S., and is married to the Governor of Isabela, Rodolfo T. Albano III. They have one son.

Ambassador Garcia-Albano enjoys exploring new places, cuisines, and cultures through travel. She loves to read, particularly mystery novels. In her free time, she cherishes moments spent with her family.

Links

Philippines Embassy Japan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJapan

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

Connect with Catherine

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

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

Meet Olga Belosludova, a trailblazing attorney who made history as the first Russian woman to pass the notoriously difficult Japanese bar exam. Born in Siberia, she came to Japan with her family at age two. Olga's journey from a competitive childhood dream to becoming a qualified lawyer in three jurisdictions is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story offers invaluable insights into navigating Japan's legal landscape as a foreign professional, the importance of visibility in service, and practical strategies for building a successful international legal career.

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 Olga conquered the Japanese “Yobi” exam which only 4% of examinees pass

• Her strategies for overcoming assumptions about foreign lawyers with Japanese credentials

• Her secret dual-goal system for avoiding burnout

• Her view that speaking Japanese is crucial and why internal translators outperform external ones

About Olga

Olga Belosludova is an accomplished international attorney admitted to practice law in Japan, California, and New York. Currently, she is based in Japan, where she has lived since age two. Olga brings a unique bicultural perspective to complex cross-border legal matters. As an attorney at a prestigious international law firm constantly ranking in AM Law 20, she has built an impressive practice serving Fortune 100 companies across a wide range of high-stakes transactions and disputes.

Fluent in both Japanese and English, Olga has become a trusted advisor to foreign companies navigating Japan's business landscape. Her expertise spans cross-border mergers and acquisitions, complex internal investigations, international arbitrations, and privacy and data security compliance for multinational corporations. She also counsels international banks and investment funds on investment and loan transactions involving Japanese entities, leveraging her deep understanding of both legal systems and cultural nuances.

Olga’s risk management expertise is particularly noteworthy—she has led over 20 internal investigations across various industries, handling everything from routine compliance matters to high-profile misconduct cases. Her approach focuses not just on resolving immediate issues, but also on strengthening organizational health and resilience for the long term. During her time at the firm’s New York office from August 2023 to June 2024, she further expanded her expertise in JAMS arbitration and US litigation.

The Legal 500 recognised Olga as a “Rising Star” in its Fintech division in 2023, highlighting her emerging leadership in the intersection of law and financial technology.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Olga had been dancing as a ballroom dancer for more than 15 years, ultimately competing as a professional standard ballroom dancer between 2018 and 2020. After the COVID pandemic, in her free time, Olga enjoys spending her time with her family, especially playing with her three-year-old daughter. Whether she is reading books, drawing, or just playing outside, those moments mean the most to Olga. As a new challenge, Olga also began golfing last year.

Connect with Olga

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-belosludova-744758287/

Connect with Catherine

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

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

Yoko Oshima is Associate General Counsel of Corporate, External and Legal Affairs at Microsoft Japan. In this inspiring episode that spans continents, cultures, and cutting-edge technology, Yoko's journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership, purposeful career building, embracing opportunity and seeking support. Yoko shares powerful insights on adaptive leadership, the importance of being true to your values, and why seeking support is actually a sign of strength, not vulnerability.

Whether you're navigating cultural shifts in your career, looking to embrace emerging technology, or seeking to lead with authenticity, Yoko's wisdom will resonate long after the episode ends.

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 she overcame the cultural shift from being "blessed with opportunities" in Japan to proactively raising her hand in competitive New York law firms

• Why she turned down a permanent leadership role twice, and the crucial lesson this taught her about embracing opportunity

• The innovative approach to helping legal teams adopt AI and why AI is like training a new associate

• Her favourite books and other fun facts

About Yoko

Yoko is Associate General Counsel of Microsoft and leads its Corporate, External Affairs in Japan. Before joining Microsoft in May 2021. she was with General Electric and her last role before the departure was the general counsel of GE Japan and GE Digital Asia.

Before going in-house, she was in private practice, with Anderson Mori in Tokyo (first half) and Clearly Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton LLP in New York (second half).

She is qualified in Japan and the State of New York, USA.

She has an LLB from Hitotsubashi University, a Master of Law from the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Law and Politics and an LLM from Harvard Law School.

Committed to diversity and inclusion and the social impact, she is a board member of Lawyers for LGBT and Allies Network in Japan and a statutory auditor of Earth Company.

She recharges through art, music, nature and family and friends.

Connect with Yoko

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoko-oshima-36a7396/

Links

Adaptive Leadership: https://hbr.org/2020/09/5-principles-to-guide-adaptive-leadership

Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith: https://news.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/tools-and-weapons/

The Culture Map, Erin Meyers: https://erinmeyer.com/books/the-culture-map/

Connect with Catherine

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

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

Alexander Dmitrenko is the Managing Partner of Ashurst’s Tokyo office and a dear friend Catherine has been wanting to introduce to the Lawyer on Air listeners. Get ready to hear how you can be successful in Japan and being a good person is on top of the list. If you are wondering about the culture and lifestyle of working at a firm such as Ashurst, make sure you catch this episode.

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 Alexander’s upbringing in the USSR influenced his career choice in the law

• How the transition from New York private practice to Japanese in house changed him

• Becoming Managing Partner and tips for the recruitment process

• His favourite restaurant and other fun facts

About Alexander

Alexander Dmitrenko is a partner in Ashurst’s Tokyo dispute resolution practice group.

He has nearly 20 years of experience specialising in compliance matters, internal investigations, and dispute resolution. He has substantial experience advising Asian and other companies on matters related to sanctions and export controls, anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering, cyber security and cyber fraud, ESG and forced labour and other compliance related laws and regulations. Alexander has gained particular expertise and client praise for his pragmatic approach to establishing compliance policies and procedures, undertaking due diligence exercises and conducting internal and regulatory investigations.

Alexander has conducted over a dozen sensitive internal and regulatory investigations covering allegations of bribery, accounting misconduct, internal violations, harassment and product liability in such jurisdictions as China, Ghana, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Russia, United States and Vietnam.

Alexander also advises financial institutions and other companies on compliance and risk mitigation measures related to US-China regulatory tensions and potential conflict of laws. He has particular expertise with airspace and the airline industry through his extensive work for Changi Airports International and on Sojitz' airport projects in Russia and Myanmar.

He is a member of our firm's specialized Sanctions as well as Corporate Crime groups. Given his unique skillset and expertise, he has been advising on various sanctions targeting Russia, from legal, regulatory and practical perspectives.

Alexander teaches, lectures and publishes extensively on various compliance-related topics. He chairs the Japan Subcommittee of Temple Law School’s Center for Compliance and Ethics. He is an active member of the NPO community in Japan, particularly through his leadership at LLAN and TELL. Alexander leads our firm’s pro bono efforts to provide legal and other assistance to Ukrainian evacuees. He is a true diversity & inclusion champion. Alexander is also a proud honorary Ambassador for the beautiful island of Hachijojima.

Alexander is qualified to practice in England & Wales, New York, Russia, and is a registered foreign lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) in Japan. He speaks English, French, Japanese, Russian and Ukrainian.

In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family, including his dog Mykola (Miki), learning Japanese to which he devotes 45-60 minutes each day, spending time on Hachijojima, including gardening (he even grew a square watermelon a few years ago), tennis, yoga and his latest hobby is sanshin on which he performed at Tama Parthenon during a special fundraising concert for Tohoko & Ukraine.

Connect with Alexander

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-dmitrenko/

Links

Two Rooms: https://tworooms.jp/en/

Connect with Catherine

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

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