Building a Global Career as a Legal Professional

After completing my undergraduate degree, I pursued a master’s degree in international affairs in the U.S., focusing on international law, international politics and economics. After graduation, I worked for an international organization and was involved in programs related to international law. Seeking deeper expertise, I later attended law school, passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice law in New York.

At law firms in both the U.S. and Japan, I primarily supported Japanese companies’ international business efforts in areas such as anti-corruption, antitrust laws, and joint venture transactions. Later, I was seconded to a law firm in India, where I helped Japanese companies enter the local market. This was one of the most valuable periods in which I enhanced my understanding of the challenges faced by Japanese companies doing international business and the differences in legal perceptions between Japan and overseas.

After serving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and working as a legal counsel at a major foreign-invested IT company, I joined this company in January 2024. I am now supporting the global expansion of the SEGA SAMMY Group from the legal side of its operations by making the most of my previous experiences.

One of the factors that led me to join this company was gaining the opportunity to work at the global headquarters of a major corporation. At this company, I thought that I could take on a more creative and expansive role and exercise greater autonomy and leadership. The presence of dozens of the Group's overseas offices and its scale of global business were also attractive aspects to me.

Contributing to a Major M&A Project Right After Joining the Company

One of my main responsibilities is to handle corporate acquisitions and reorganizations. In line with the Group’s strategic direction, the Group plans to acquire companies in focus areas while divesting existing businesses when necessary. In cooperation with members from other divisions including the Corporate Strategy Division, we strive to reach optimal agreements through internal discussions and negotiations with the other party to implement effective M&A plans.

An experience particularly memorable to me was the large project I worked on immediately after joining the company. It involved significant financial stakes and complex negotiations with a globally renowned fund. Through in-depth discussions within the company and effective collaboration with external M&A specialists, we were able to secure favorable terms in the agreement.

Corporate acquisitions are not just about buying companies; they are about envisioning the future of the business. These large-scale projects require collaboration across various departments, including finance, accounting, and human resources. Being part of projects with huge impact that will influence the Group’s future is one of the greatest experiences of my career.

With Passion, Empathy and Cool Head

One of my key principles is to work with empathy. For instance, in the major project I mentioned earlier, I sought to align with the ideas of the Corporate Strategy Division and members of Group companies who wanted to drive the Group’s growth.

I also manage initiatives to strengthen compliance with overseas regulations, draft Group policies, and oversee the "LIP Counter" – a legal and intellectual property advice desk. This resource allows employees to seek advice on a wide range of issues, from player contracts in professional sports teams to how to conduct pricing negotiations with business partners in compliance with legal regulations.

I also conduct seminars for the legal staff members of Group companies and provide training to employees to promote compliance with new laws and regulations. These efforts are part of promoting more robust legal compliance throughout the Group.

While empathy is essential, providing an objective perspective is equally important. Itis crucial that we identify what the risks are and what is important in the long term and that we should not lose sight of what is important in the pursuit of short-term gains. I carefully assess the legal and broader stakeholder implications of our actions, and I believe my role is to advise from the other person's perspective while maintaining a calm perspective.

Looking ahead, I want to continue contribute to the Group’s success by strengthening the compliance framework, new business acquisitions and reorganizations, providing legal training, and supporting the Legal Department in its role as the Group’s global legal headquarters.

Message to Students and Mid-Career Professionals Considering to Joining Our Company

I think that the most positive feature of SEGA SAMMY Group is the diversity of its members. The Legal and Intellectual Property Division includes lawyers licensed in Japan and the U.S., patent attorneys, and experts with extensive experience in projects related to games, sports, and legal operation specialists. In addition, given that we are a comprehensive entertainment company, our team consists of unique members with a wide variety of interests and hobbies, such as music, graphic design, theater, games, and sports. It is very inspiring to work with them.

Currently, our Group is focusing on internationalization and overseas business expansion, which offers many opportunities to get involved in drafting and revising contracts and negotiating with foreign companies.

For those with legal expertise and language skills, the Legal Department is a place with great opportunities to make the most of your skills, please apply if you are interested.