From Paralegal to Legal Department Manager with Sawako Kakutani
Sawako Kakutani is Corporate Secretarial Department Manager and Legal Department Manager at ASA Professionals Singapore, working remotely from Japan, and an attorney licensed in Washington State. She previously worked as Legal Department Manager at Hitachi Construction Machinery and does hybrid work between Singapore and Japan.
We hear how Sawako decided that law would be a way she could possibly enjoy working at a “traditional Japanese company”. If you are someone with endless curiosity you will find Catherine’s discussion with Sawako an interesting insight to possibilities in the legal world in Japan.
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In this episode you’ll hear:
How a philosophy book in a friend's library, first sparked Sawako's interest in law
The paralegal role at AVAYA, with Lawyer on Air guest, Junko Mukoyama, that revealed in-house legal work could be genuinely exciting
The tips Sawako offers for anyone who wants become a bridge between cultures
About Sawako
Sawako Kakutani is Corporate Secretarial Department Manager and Legal Department Manager at ASA Professionals Singapore, working remotely from Japan, and an attorney licensed in Washington State.
Sawako has built an international in-house legal career spanning Japan and Southeast Asia, with extensive experience in cross-border commercial transactions, corporate governance, compliance, data privacy and legal support for overseas businesses. From 2021 to 2025, Sawako was based in Singapore with Hitachi Construction Machinery Asia & Pacific, where she served as General Manager of Legal and supported the company's businesses and subsidiaries across the region. She returned to Japan in April 2025 and served as Legal Department Manager at Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. before transitioning to her current roles at ASA Professionals Singapore on July 1, 2026.
Fluent in Japanese and English, Sawako has lived in the United States for 11 years and Singapore for four years. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Waseda University, a Juris Doctor from Omiya Law School and an LL.M. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, Japan Campus. She became licensed to practise law in Washington State in January 2026.
Outside work, Sawako is an enthusiastic dragon boat paddler and also enjoys marathons, mountain trekking, cycling, motorcycle touring and travel.
Connect with Sawako
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawako-kakutani-8902a9bb/
Connect with Catherine
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair
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