Senior Legal Counsel (Bengoshi) - Tokyo - Global US Company

A leading global technology and consumer company is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join its legal team in Tokyo.

This is a highly business-facing position for a commercially minded lawyer who is comfortable operating in a fast-moving and constantly evolving environment. The successful candidate will work closely with senior business leaders, advising on a broad range of commercial, regulatory and strategic matters.

The key requirement is a genuinely forward-thinking approach. We are looking for a business lawyer who looks beyond traditional legal analysis, anticipates future challenges and opportunities, and helps the business find practical ways to move forward. Rather than simply identifying risk or explaining why something cannot be done, you will be expected to understand the commercial objective and develop workable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and practical legal advice to senior business stakeholders
• Act as a trusted business partner on new initiatives, products and evolving business models
• Advise on a broad range of commercial contracts, partnerships and strategic projects
• Anticipate emerging legal, regulatory and business risks before they become immediate issues
• Develop practical and forward-looking solutions to complex legal challenges
• Support innovative projects where established legal frameworks may not provide clear answers
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across Japan and internationally
• Advise on regulatory, consumer, technology, digital and commercial matters
• Manage complex negotiations and high-value commercial agreements
• Support business growth while ensuring appropriate legal and risk management
• Work with regional and global legal colleagues on cross-border matters
• Manage external counsel where required

Requirements:

• Approximately 8+ years of relevant legal experience
• Strong in-house experience, ideally within a global or fast-moving company
• Native-level Japanese with fluency in English
• Broad commercial and business law experience
• A genuinely forward-thinking and solutions-oriented mindset
• Strong business judgement and the ability to understand commercial priorities
• Confidence advising senior stakeholders on complex and evolving matters
• Ability to operate effectively in situations where there may not be an obvious legal precedent or established answer
• Qualification in Japan and/or another major jurisdiction preferred

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Highly strategic and business-facing legal role
• Opportunity to work on innovative and evolving business models
• Direct involvement in major commercial and strategic decisions
• Close partnership with senior business leaders
• Broad exposure across multiple areas of law and business
• International working environment with significant cross-border interaction
• Opportunity to work in a culture that values independent thinking, ownership and practical problem-solving
• Strong platform for lawyers who want to operate beyond a traditional legal advisory role

This is just one of a number of exclusive positions we are currently handling in Tokyo. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or others, please call Ken on 080-4118-2177 or email ken@alberto-recruitment.com.