Overview
Legal Counsel Jobs in Tokyo, Japan at Blueleaf Energy
Title: Legal Counsel
Company: Blueleaf Energy
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded legal professional to serve as the local legal subject matter expert and trusted advisor to both the Japan business and the Group legal function. This role acts as a bridge between Group legal strategy and local execution, ensuring alignment with corporate governance standards while delivering hands‑on, practical legal support to transaction teams and day‑to‑day business operations in Japan.
The successful candidate will support a broad range of transactions and project development activities, including acquisitions, divestments, financings, joint ventures, and projects from development through construction, while also advising on general corporate and business law matters and managing legal risk and regulatory compliance.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Providing internal legal support to transaction teams when pursuing new opportunities in Japan, including acquisitions, divestments, financings, forming joint ventures and managing interests in projects during development and into construction.
- Advising on general business law issues and managing the legal issues of all areas of the Company, including but not limited to corporate matters, land, permits, disputes, procurement, safety, security, insurance and sustainability issues (either solely or based on advice from external counsel).
- Working on a wide range of contracts (including MoUs, heads of term, term sheets, Joint Development / Project Development / Bidding Agreements, NDAs, engagement letters, service contracts, intragroup services/funding agreements, a wide range of commercial contracts and exclusivity letters).
- Providing support to transaction teams, alongside external counsel, on share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, credit support agreements and similar and related documents, including to protect Company’s interests and drive towards consistency of approach.
- Supporting teams with understanding the legal aspects of acquisition due diligence and the development of projects in Japan (either solely by Company or alongside development partners), based on advice from external counsel.
- Helping to identify and manage compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to Company’s operations in Japan and contribute to appropriate solutions, monitoring and alerts (including in respect of competition, merger control and foreign direct investment requirements in each jurisdiction, with advice from external counsel).
- Developing and improving procedures, precedents and guidance to assist Company’s legal team and all other teams within Japan.
- Anticipate and manage the (legal) risks connected with or resulting from the business strategy and operations.
- Coordinate with the Group’s legal team on transaction documents templates and updates.
- Coordinate with the General Counsel on incidents and breaches as well as compliance with Anti Bribery and Corruption policies.
- Coordinate with the Group’s General Counsel to secure relevant internal approvals.
What Makes You a Great Fit
- Degree in law and qualified to practice in common law jurisdiction and/or Japan.
- At least 5 years of experience in the power sector in Japan with focus on renewable energy.
- Combination of analytical and strategic thinking skills that allow the assessment of complex policies and changing policy environment.
- Ability to articulate and promote ideas to different internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (in Japanese and English).
- Effective decision-making and delegation skills to prioritise and complete projects in line with investment strategy or project plans.
- Strong negotiation skills for interaction with private investors, prospective partners, lenders, offtakers, service providers and contractors.
- Ability to working in teams in project mode with the operational teams (business development, technical and operations, structured finance) as well as external counterparties and lawyers.
- Ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
- Assertiveness, responsiveness, flexibility (must be able to adapt quickly to the context and to complex and varied situations), autonomy and sense of initiative.
- Strong interpersonal skills in the context of a multicultural environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary with performance-based bonuses tied to company success.
- Flexible hybrid work model
- Comprehensive Group Health Insurance coverage
- Career development and training opportunities
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At Blueleaf Energy, we are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and foster creativity, and we are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
