Overview
Head of Legal, Japan (Senior Legal Counsel / Director) Jobs in Tokyo, Japan at Huxley
Title: Head of Legal, Japan (Senior Legal Counsel / Director)
Company: Huxley
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Head of Legal, Japan (Senior Legal Counsel / Director)
📍 Tokyo, Japan | Hybrid
Lead Legal Strategy for One of the World's Leading FinTech Companies
Our client is a global leader in digital payments and financial technology, connecting consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments across the world. As the business continues to expand and innovate, it is seeking a senior legal leader to serve as the primary legal partner for Japan, providing strategic guidance on complex commercial, regulatory, technology, and business matters.
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of the legal function in a key market, working directly with senior business leaders and regional stakeholders to help shape growth, manage risk, and support market-leading products and partnerships.
The Opportunity
As the lead legal counsel for Japan, you will act as a trusted advisor to the local leadership team, partnering across business, product, technology, compliance, and government engagement functions. You will provide commercially focused legal advice, drive strategic initiatives, and support high-impact transactions in a rapidly evolving fintech environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the principal legal advisor for the Japan business.
- Provide strategic legal guidance on commercial, product, technology, marketing, data privacy, and regulatory matters.
- Structure, draft, negotiate, and execute complex commercial, technology, and strategic partnership agreements.
- Advise senior stakeholders on legal and business risks while enabling innovation and growth.
- Support regulatory engagement and monitor developments impacting the payments and fintech sectors.
- Partner closely with regional and global legal teams on cross-border initiatives and transactions.
- Lead legal support for new products, business models, and strategic projects across Japan.
Ideal Background
- Qualified lawyer in Japan or another major common law jurisdiction.
- 12+ years of post-qualification experience gained within a leading law firm and/or multinational organization.
- Strong expertise in corporate and commercial law, including complex cross-border transactions.
- Proven ability to influence senior executives and balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
- Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Fluent Japanese and English communication skills.
- Experience in fintech, payments, technology, financial services, or other highly regulated industries is highly advantageous.
Why This Role?
- Lead all legal initiatives for a strategically important market.
- Work directly with senior business leaders and executive stakeholders.
- Join a globally recognized innovation-driven organization.
- Influence business strategy, product development, and market expansion.
- Be part of a collaborative international legal team operating at the forefront of technology and financial services.
This role is ideal for a commercially minded legal leader who wants to move beyond traditional legal advisory work and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a fast-growing business in Japan.
