Leading with Empathy: Toshimi Itakura's vision for a thriving legal team

If you are at a crossroads and wondering if you should give up on that dream that hasn’t come true yet, then this is the episode for you. Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department at Sojitz Corporation. Toshimi shares her inspiring career journey over more than 20 years and her professional experiences in the United States and London. Toshimi discusses her approach to career growth, emphasizing the importance of focusing on achievements rather than specific job titles and shares valuable tips on time management, leadership, and mentoring. You are going to love hearing from this ground breaker in the Tokyo legal world!
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 Toshimi came to be working in the legal department at Sojitz

Her international experiences and negotiating for what she wanted in her career

Toshimi’s way of leading as  a section head (課長) and now division head (部長)

Her top three tips for aspiring professionals

Her favourite book and other fun facts 


About Toshimi
Toshimi Itakura is the General Manager of the Legal Department of Sojitz Corporation. She graduated from Keio University and joined Sojitz Corporation in 2005. Sojitz is one of Japan’s sogo shosha, or general trading company, covering various industries globally including automotive, aerospace & transportation, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, metals & minerals, chemicals, agriculture, retail etc.
After a few years at the Tokyo headquarters of Sojitz she studied abroad at Duke University Law School in the United States (LL.M.) and worked in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation of America as a qualified attorney-at-law (admitted in NY). 
Later in her career, she also spent 2 ~ 3 years, working in the legal department of Sojitz Corporation in London and seconded to the Herbert Smith Freehills London Office.
In 2022, she was appointed as the General Manager of the Legal Department. Throughout her career, she has engaged in corporate legal practice in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and has been involved in M&A, project finance, disposal of bad assets, collateral management, corporate restructuring, litigation and dispute resolution and other various matters and transactions.
Apart from her work, Toshimi enjoys her life being an artist in the world of ballroom Latin dancing and playing the flute.

Connect with Toshimi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toshimi-itakura-31b081152/ 

Links
Gentle Dining Omotesando https://www.gentle-base.com/ 
Book: そうか、君は課長になったのか。https://amzn.asia/d/aDHyTEJ 

Connect with Catherine 
Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawyeronair
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lawyeronair