Corporate Legal Affairs

This full-time position supports Canon’s businesses through broad corporate legal work. Day-to-day responsibilities include reviewing, drafting, and negotiating domestic and international contracts; advising on antitrust law, subcontracting regulations, and personal information protection; and handling insolvency, seizure, litigation, product quality issues, M&A, and labor matters.

The corporate legal function also handles the Companies Act, Commercial Registration Act, Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, listing rules, group reorganizations, shareholder meeting support, company regulations, and seal administration. Risk management duties include coordinating the group-wide risk management secretariat, developing, evaluating, and improving risk management systems, and investigating product-related regulations. Compliance work covers internal reporting systems, compliance promotion, dissemination of the code of conduct, and compliance education.

The work is carried out with business divisions and supports Canon’s printing, imaging, medical, industrial, and other business units. The legal function also provides support for global operations and works relatively close to management on business and corporate matters. Future plans include using AI and outsourcing to make basic business-support work more efficient and shifting resources toward complex international matters, M&A, and litigation. The corporate legal, risk management, and compliance functions are expected to develop Canon’s global governance framework and operate and review it autonomously.

Applicants need at least five years of experience in one or more of the following areas: domestic or overseas contract work, legal research or consultation, M&A or group reorganizations, litigation or claims, government investigations, labor issues, or customer insolvency; shareholder meeting operations, commercial registration, disclosure, or company regulations; non-financial risk management or product-related regulations; or compliance promotion and internal reporting systems. Some experience within a category is sufficient. Experience spanning multiple categories is preferred. Industry experience is not restricted, and a lawyer qualification is not required. Strong English ability is desirable.

The position is based at Canon’s headquarters in Ota, Tokyo, near Shimo-maruko Station. Working hours are 8:30 to 17:00. Annual salary is listed as 5.3 million to 8.7 million JPY, with the final treatment determined by experience and ability under company regulations. Overtime pay is provided separately except when hired as a manager. There is one salary review each year and bonuses are paid twice yearly.

The role is a regular employee position with a five-day workweek in principle on Saturdays and Sundays, public holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, a May holiday period, and summer leave. Annual holidays total 125 days. Paid annual leave is 20 days, with the first-year amount depending on the joining month; additional leave includes a five-day free-vacation program, refresh leave based on years of service, and bereavement leave. Benefits include transportation and overtime allowances, social insurance, a retirement allowance, corporate pension, savings plans, an employee shareholding association, mutual aid, education programs, short-time work for childcare, accommodation and sports facilities, and company events.