Work Type: Full-Time | Office-Based
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience (¥9.0M – ¥13.0M annually) + Performance Bonus + Commuting Allowance
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced, business-minded Legal Counsel to manage in-house legal operations and corporate compliance at our Tokyo headquarters. In this office-based role, you will act as the primary internal legal advisor for our logistics, supply chain, and freight forwarding activities across Japan and international trade lanes.
Working closely with executive leadership, operational managers, and external counsel, you will mitigate legal risk, negotiate complex commercial agreements, and ensure strict compliance with Japanese corporate, maritime, transport, and trade regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Management & Commercial Drafting
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a broad range of corporate and operational contracts, including Master Services Agreements (MSAs), carrier/freight forwarding contracts, vendor SLAs, warehouse leases, and distribution agreements.
- Develop, update, and maintain standardized contract templates tailored to logistics operations and corporate governance in Japan.
- Provide pragmatic legal guidance to operational teams to balance business objectives with risk management during commercial negotiations.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation
- Advise on compliance matters involving Japanese commercial law, the Civil Code (Minpo), labor regulations, customs requirements, and maritime/transportation laws (e.g., Warehouse Business Act, Consignors Act).
- Oversee corporate governance, board documentation, and official corporate recordkeeping in accordance with Japanese Companies Act (Kaishaho).
- Ensure corporate alignment with data protection regulations (APPI), sanctions laws, anti-bribery policies, and trade regulations.
Dispute Resolution & External Counsel Oversight
- Manage commercial disputes, cargo claims, customs inquiries, and contract breaches in coordination with insurance brokers and operational leads.
- Serve as the principal liaison for external legal counsel, overseeing outside legal budgets, litigation strategy, and specialized regulatory filings.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Legal Credentials: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) required. Admitted to practice law in Japan (Bengoshi) or qualified in a common-law jurisdiction (e.g., US, UK) with substantial working experience in Japan (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi registration a plus).
- Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience in a top-tier law firm or as in-house legal counsel in Japan. Prior experience in logistics, maritime shipping, supply chain, aviation, or international trade is strongly preferred.
- Language Proficiency:
- Japanese: Native level (essential for complex contract review, drafting under Japanese law, and local regulatory communication).
- English: High Business to Fluent level (essential for international commercial contracts, corporate reporting, and cross-border negotiations).
- Core Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to explain legal risks clearly to non-legal business stakeholders.
Technical & Process Skills
- Practical knowledge of Japanese legal filing systems and digital contract management tools (e.g., CloudSign).
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, MS Office (Word track changes, Excel), and legal research databases.
Benefits & Work Environment
- Full social insurance coverage (Shakai Hoken).
- Commuting allowance (Tsukin Teate).
- Fixed working hours in a collaborative, office-focused executive environment in Tokyo.
- Paid annual leave (Yukyu) and Japanese public holidays.
How to Apply
Please submit your application including an English CV, Japanese Rirekisho, and Shokumu Keirekisho detailing your relevant in-house legal experience and track record in contract negotiation.