Legal Affairs Specialist

The Legal Affairs Specialist will join the Legal Department within the Corporate Management Headquarters and support assigned business units. Responsibilities include reviewing and negotiating a wide range of agreements, including non-disclosure, outsourcing, development outsourcing, joint research and development, software licensing, master transaction, sales, terms of use, intellectual property licensing, M&A-related and alliance agreements. The role also handles competition law, the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, consumer protection laws, and other legal consultations.

The position supports domestic and international patent infringement litigation and other negotiations and disputes, including matters involving intellectual property rights. It also coordinates with group companies, including overseas subsidiaries, helps establish group-wide contract negotiation policies, maintains reporting lines and information sharing, and participates in internal Legal Department projects such as legal literacy education and operational efficiency initiatives.

Required qualifications include graduation from a faculty or graduate school of law or a law school, approximately three years of experience as the primary person responsible for contract review at a company or law firm, legal knowledge, contract review capability, and the ability to develop solutions to business-related legal issues and independently advance the work. Experience in litigation or dispute resolution at a manufacturer for three years or more, five or more years of contract review experience at a manufacturer, intellectual-property legal experience, and Japanese or foreign attorney qualification are welcomed. English communication ability sufficient for discussion with internal and external parties and a TOEIC score of 730 or higher are also welcomed.

The Legal Department has 26 members including dispatched staff. Approximately 70–80% of members use work-from-home arrangements, flextime is available, and the paid-leave utilization rate is 84%. The position is based at the headquarters and Innovation Center in Shinagawa, Tokyo. Working hours are eight hours per day with a super-flextime system; a 45-minute break and a three-month probationary period apply. Benefits include commuting transportation, social insurance, housing assistance subject to conditions, an employee shareholding association, defined-contribution pension, retirement allowance, childcare and nursing-care programs, and club activities. Annual holidays total 128 days, with a five-day workweek, paid leave and other stated leave programs. Remote work is available.

The role initially provides experience in contract negotiation, litigation and dispute resolution, and preventive legal work according to the employee’s experience. Later career paths may include specialist or management positions, overseas subsidiary assignments, or rotations to other headquarters functions with legal capabilities.