What are the most significant cases or transactions that you have been involved in over the past year?

For us, the highlight over the past year has been the integration of Credit Suisse into UBS. While the two significant banking groups merged at the holding company level in June 2023, their operating companies still remained separate. Hence, we worked extensively to integrate Credit Suisse’s businesses and operating entities into UBS, and the most significant milestone was the merger of CS’s operating bank – Credit Suisse AG – into UBS at the end of May. The legal team at UBS Japan was an integral part of the bank’s global efforts to achieve the integration at an unprecedented pace, and our efforts included the structuring of the Japan-part of the global merger, addressing complex legal, regulatory, and tax issues.
Based on your experience, what is the key to collaborating successfully with business partners?

Collaboration is one of the key principles of how we work, both globally and in Japan. To be effective partners for the business (or, to put it another way, our internal clients), we need to have a deep understanding of what they do and develop mutual respect with them. This is not easy, however. In this changing world, our internal clients are ever more sophisticated and we strive to deliver strategic and innovative solutions to meet their expectations.

How do you motivate and manage the other members of your legal team well?

Leaders can motivate their teams in different ways, and I focus on two things in particular. First, I respect my team members as professionals, not just staff members below me. Those who work hard for the good of the firm deserve respect and recognition, irrespective of their ranks. Second, I try to communicate our vision and purpose, and help the team relate themselves to our values. A shared sense of goals is critically important for any motivated team.