May Full of Fun – Half Here, Half in New Zealand

May flew by in a jiffy! I spent the first half in Aotearoa New Zealand, attending the Global Women Hui, which was a powerful gathering of wāhine toa (strong women) disrupting the status quo across politics, society, and business. One standout moment for me was meeting the Māori Millionaire Te Kahukura Boynton - yes, all of 20 years old - who shared her remarkable story of transformation: from addiction to purpose, from despair to empowerment, from falling down to lifting others up with financial literacy and freedom. A true force of nature. I do hope she comes to Japan some time so I can share her wisdom with people who need to hear it. Follow Te Kaukura Boynton on Linkedin and be ready to be wowed.

Back in Japan, the fun continued - kicking off with a delightfully quirky gallery exhibition, ending with treasured time among friends, and showing up in service on the boards I support. It was a month of two halves, two seasons, two jet streams … and perhaps even two versions of me.

Here’s a look at everything May brought with it… ⬇️

Meeting Eddie Jones

I’ll admit it - I didn’t always have the warmest impression of Eddie Jones, current coach of Japan’s national rugby team, the Brave Blossoms. But time can shift perceptions. He’s mellowed in recent years, and at a recent private event where he spoke on leadership, I found myself genuinely impressed. His take on bringing out the best in his players, helping them become not only better athletes but better people, resonated deeply with me. We even took time for a quick photo and a brief, thoughtful chat. It’s always a gift when someone surprises you in a good way don’t you think?

A Hui That Changes Everything

There’s something indescribable about being immersed in Rotorua’s powerful whenua (land) and deep cultural legacy. This was only my second visit - my first was over 30 years ago when I was a tour guide! Returning for the Global Women Hui felt like coming full circle, but on entirely new ground.

The Hui was unforgettable: from the scent of sulphur and steam rising from geysers to the strength and stories of wāhine who are shaping Aotearoa’s future. Rotorua’s spirit seeps into your soul, and the conversations, connections, and collective energy will stay with me for a long time.

In case you missed them, here are some reflections I shared on LinkedIn throughout the experience:

Pre-Hui anticipation: Rotorua’s welcome
A classic ‘only in NZ’ moment: Hotel check-in delights
Standing on sacred ground: On hallowed whenua
Powerful takeaways: Resilience and ripple effects
Post-Hui reflections: Ripples begin

A Welcome Back Surprise

Returning from New Zealand, I walked into my new office to find a delightful surprise waiting on my desk - a handwritten card from the amazing Servcorp team who look after me. It was such a simple gesture, but one that went straight to the heart. I missed them, and it turns out they missed me too!

That extra-mile kindness reminded me how lucky I am to be surrounded by such thoughtful people in this next chapter of work life. As I step into Month 3 of office life on June 1st, I’m feeling grateful, grounded, and ready for what’s next.

🎧 Podcast episodes - keep on coming

May marked the launch of one of the most exciting seasons yet of Lawyer on Air - Season 10! This season is packed with legendary lawyers, and the first two episodes set the tone beautifully.

🔹 Season 10, Episode 1 – Ayako Shotoku, Panasonic
Ayako shares her journey through in-house counsel roles, navigating leadership, and the future of legal innovation.
🎧 Listen here

I caught up in person with Ayako at a Japan In House Counsel Mentoring Panel Event, where I gave her the Lawyer on Air signature mug and we had a mug shot of course.

How cool to walk into this event and be greeted by the delightful Yu Watanabe - head of legal at Air B&B who brought me some of the best cookies I have ever tasted. Thank you Yu!

🔹 Season 10, Episode 2 – Tomoko Nakajima, Freshfields
An amazing legal leader who speaks up and asks the questions no one else does! Tomoko opens up about reinvention, resilience, and rediscovering your superpower.
🎧 Listen here

Meanwhile, over on Jandals in Japan, we traded stories (and maybe a few metaphorical sword strikes) with Kendo expert and Imperial Medal recipient Graham Sayer. His insights into martial arts, cultural diplomacy, and finding purpose in Japan are not to be missed.
🎧 Tune in here

Two podcasts. Three powerful stories.
And trust me - the stories just keep on coming.

What’s Really Keeping Lawyers from Using AI?

I recently came across a thought-provoking article in Lawyers Weekly that confirmed something I’ve sensed for a while: lawyers remain among the biggest non-users of generative AI. Was I surprised? Not entirely.

So, I wrote about it.

One quote from the article stuck with me:
“It’s accessible to everyone, but that doesn’t mean the right tools are accessible to everyone—or easy to embed and deploy safely and responsibly.”

Interestingly, it’s the paralegals and legal ops teams who are forging ahead, just like during the early days of e-discovery. They’re exploring, testing, and reshaping the roles we once thought were static.

📝 Read my reflections here: My Article on LinkedIn
📖 The original Lawyers Weekly article: Read here

As I continue to explore this topic on the podcast and in upcoming events, I’d love to hear from you:

💡 What would you love me to ask my next guest about AI and the law?
💡 What do you think is really holding lawyers back from adopting AI?
💡 Where is the real opportunity for lawyers when it comes to AI?
💡 How do we build real competence - not just rules, governance, and risk memos?

Women in Law Japan – Speed Mentoring

This May, I had the pleasure of stepping back into the Women in Law Japan (WILJ) circle - not as President this time, but as a mentor for their Speed Mentoring event. Serving as WILJ President was a defining chapter in my journey, and stepping into this mentoring role felt like a return to the central heart of WILJ, continuing the mission in a new and meaningful way.

These short, focused conversations may only last ten minutes, but their impact often lingers far longer. It’s not just the mentees who walk away with something valuable - we mentors gain fresh insights, new perspectives, and a renewed connection to why we do what we do.

It was an honour to support the next wave of #womeninlaw as they make bold career moves, seek clarity, and show up with courage in a complex profession.

✨ More on the event here

**A Colourful Detour – Matsuyama’s First Last Exhibition**

Early in the month, I stepped into a vibrant and otherworldly universe at First Last, the solo exhibition by artist Tomokazu Matsuyama. I didn’t quite know what to expect - but the moment I walked in, the explosion of colour, layered symbolism, and intricate detail completely drew me in.

It was quirky, bold, and joyfully complex - everything I didn’t know I needed that day.

Though I visited on May 2nd, I’ve found myself thinking about it all month long. It’s sparked something in me: a desire to make space for creativity again. Whether it’s attending an exhibition, joining a workshop, or simply picking up a brush or pen, I’m committing to doing something arty each month from here on.

The exhibition is now finished, but if you are curious, check out Matsuyama’s First Last exhibition here and keep an eye out for his next one. You might just leave with your own creative spark reignited.

🌸 Closing Thoughts

As June begins, so does the rainy season but with it comes one of my greatest joys: hydrangeas in bloom. Just the other day, I paused in Hibiya Park next to my office to snap a quick selfie among the lilacs, pinks, and sky blues. There’s something about these soft, moody colours that lifts my heart. Hydrangeas are right up there with cornflowers and peonies on my list of favourites …wild, free, and quietly stunning.

June also marks AGM season, and while it’s a full calendar ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing what the rains wash in … and what new revolving doors begin to turn, inviting fresh opportunities.

Until then -

See you next month! 👋

Catherine