October Wrap-Up: From Risky Women to Rising Cool Breezes

October in Tokyo always feels like the year finally exhales. The relentless summer heat fades (suddenly this year!), the air softens, and the first rustle of autumn carries both relief and renewal. As the city turns golden, my own calendar mirrored the season; a full yet thoughtful month that mixed reflection with new beginnings. From being named a Woman to Watch to mentoring meet-ups, cross-chamber mixers, and the buzz of podcast milestones, October reminded me that growth often hides inside connection.

Here’s my October highlight reel.

🎶 Out & About — October Adventures

Tokyo Three Bar Event
A favourite of the legal community - when the three Tokyo bars come together for a seminar and the essential maguro sashimi session that follows. The topic this time: the impact of new tariffs on Japan’s legal and business sectors. Valuable insights, yes - but the after-match was where the real learning happened.

✅I connected with a lawyer who’ll help me create a one-pager on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan (finally answering one of my most-asked questions!)
✅I received an invitation to appear on a Bar association YouTube channel to share the Gaiben perspective. A night of give, take, and very good tuna.
Kiwi Aussie Mixer

Shinjuku’s Yotel buzzed with Kiwi and Aussie energy at the ANZCCJ Mixer - there were no speeches, no panels, just genuine conversation over New Zealand and Australian bites and beverages. It’s always refreshing to connect with people building bridges between our countries in such a relaxed setting.
LLAN Equality Gala — 10 Years of Progress

The 10th anniversary of LLAN (Lawyers for LGBT Allies Network) celebrated at the LAN Equality Gala, was both sparkling and deeply moving. The message of the night: Japan’s Diet should act now, not later, to enshrine marriage equality in law - because love shouldn’t need to wait for a court order. I left full of admiration for those leading this quiet, determined movement for change.
Women in Law Japan Sizzle & Mentor Meetup
🌸 Huge thanks to Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya for donating two “Lunch for Two” vouchers as raffle prizes for the WILJ networking event. Seeing the joy on the winners’ faces: Naoko Adachi, WILJ’s ever-dedicated Treasurer and VP, and Keeha Oh from A&O Shearman (and a fellow Kiwi!) - was priceless.

At the same event I also caught up with one of my mentees; our conversation about upcoming challenges and recent wins left me energised. There’s nothing like mentoring to remind you that progress is contagious.

🌍 Recognition & Reflection

Featured in Risky Women – “Women to Watch”
When I started my Tokyo law firm, my vision was simple: make legal help accessible to women entrepreneurs, SMEs, and overworked GCs who couldn’t yet afford full-time counsel. That mission grew into Lawyer on Air, the #1 podcast for legal careers in Japan - and eventually into boardrooms of Japan’s largest companies.

Being recognised as a Risky Woman to Watch is a moment of reflection - not about risk for its own sake, but about daring to design a career that fits your values. Thank you to everyone who’s opened doors, pulled up chairs, and made space for others. I’m keeping a few chairs ready to pull back for you too.
🔗 Read the profile on Risky Women

🇯🇵🤝🇳🇿 New Zealand Highlights

Visit of Hon Nicola Willis
A pleasure to meet Hon Nicola Willis MP, New Zealand’s Minister for Finance, Economic Growth and Social Investment, during her Tokyo visit on 20 October. Her reaffirmation that Japan remains one of New Zealand’s closest economic partners was encouraging - a reminder of how vital these face-to-face connections remain for NZ Inc. Thank you, Minister, for including our Japan-based Kiwi business community in your packed itinerary.
Fireside Chat with Ambassador Lucy Duncan
On 5 November, I will have the honour of MC-ing a fireside chat with New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Japan, Lucy Duncan, New Zealand Chargé d'Affaires a.i.- hosted by the NZ Embassy. We will explore evolving regional dynamics and opportunities for deeper people-to-people engagement. I can’t wait to guide that conversation.

📘 Jandals in Japan Book Announcement

Stop the presses — The Jandals in Japan Book is coming!

Four years and nearly 80 podcast stories later, Jayne Nakata and I are distilling the wisdom of Kiwi–Japan business builders into a practical handbook for doing business in Japan - one rooted in real experiences, not etiquette checklists. We have identified five key mindsets shared by every successful guest, and the book will unpack them with actionable insights.

How you can help:
⭐️ Share the book when it launches
⭐️ Host a stop on our Japan / NZ book tour
📧 jandalsinjapan@gmail.com
🎧 Listen to the announcement episode

🎧 One More Thing — Help Us Win! New Zealand Podcast Awards – Listeners’ Choice Award 🎙️

Before I wrap up this NZ section, a little favour to ask! 💚The Jandals in Japan podcast has been submitted for the New Zealand Podcast Awards and all podcasts are eligible for the "Listeners’ Choice Award”

It takes just one minute to vote and your support would mean the world to us.
👉 Vote here

Here’s what to enter:

Name of Podcast: Jandals in Japan
Your Email: [add your email]
Link to the podcast: https://www.jandalsinjapan.com/
(Optional comment – tell the judges directly, why you tune in!)

Thank you so much in advance for cheering us on and helping spread the word about Kiwi–Japan stories that inspire connection, courage, and curiosity. 🌸🩴🇳🇿🇯🇵

✍️ Writing & Reflection

Purpose Is What Happens to People When You Do What You Do
In my latest LinkedIn article, I shared a truth inspired by Viola Davis: “Your purpose in life is not what you do - it’s what happens to people when you do what you do.”

When people ask about Lawyer on Air metrics or sponsorships, I always return to this. The real purpose isn’t in numbers - it’s in the ripple effect. You can read it here.

🎧 Podcast Power

Lawyer on Air — Season 10 Finale
Season 10 wrapped with two powerhouse guests:

Mika Fukutomi – Unlearning Fear: From Law to Launch
→ How she turned critical thinking into her entrepreneurial superpower.
Yoshie Midorikawa – The Power of Saying No
→ How one bold word shaped an international legal career.

🎙️ Season 11 launches Tuesday 4 November.
🔗 Listen on the website

Jandals in Japan – Episode 68: Aaron Astle
A remarkable story of family, culture, and music connecting Japan and Aotearoa New Zealand.
🔗 Listen here

👋Wrappng October

From maguro nights to mentoring moments, from recognition spotlights to risk-taking steps, October was a month that reminded me why I do what I do: connection, community, and courage.

As autumn deepens and 2025’s final chapter begins, I’m raising a (virtual) glass to everyone out there doing the quiet, meaningful work of change.

See you next month! 👋

— Catherine