What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Mazda legal has been supporting the company with its restructuring of dealer networks. Involving both former and new key business partners, it was challenging to handle the complicated situation. Our legal team has been responsible for compliance matters as well as legal – drafting, deploying and auditing new local and corporate policies.

What will be the main focus for the company in the next 12 months and how do you intend to assist with this?

Developing and strengthening our network with key business partners will be the company’s focus over the next 12 months. My team will work closely with business functions to share important legal knowledge with a timely manner to raise awareness of the significance and benefits of compliance function.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

One of the most important skills required to in-house counsel is leadership skill – the ability to guide his company for guidance and inspiration. Legal and compliance functions are inseparable – cooperation between these two functions can result in a synergy that can be very productive to their organisation.