International Women¡¯s Day this year was centered on the theme ¡°,¡± emphasizing collaboration and mutual support. In Japan¡¯s legal profession, where gender disparities remain pronounced, the networking platform Women in Law Japan (WILJ) has emerged to create opportunities for exchange and empowerment.

A decade after its founding, WILJ has grown to encompass roughly 700 members, reflecting both the expansion of Japan¡¯s legal sector and the persistent challenges facing women within it, including disparities in pay, promotion and career continuity.?

At a recent gala marking its 10th anniversary, current and former WILJ presidents reflected on the group¡¯s history, including how it weathered the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has even reached beyond Japan to connect with similar networks in South Korea and Hong Kong.

Presenters also highlighted the ongoing importance of pro bono work (professional services rendered voluntarily) as part of the organization¡¯s activities.

Kathy Matsui, general partner of MPower Partners, Japan¡¯s first environmental, social and governance-focused global venture capital fund, was the keynote speaker. Matsui pioneered the concept of ¡°womenomics¡± in 1999 to describe the economic impact of advancing women in the workforce.

¡°Our mission to inspire, connect and empower women is fundamentally about ensuring more women feel supported ¡ª and seen ¡ª on the path to leadership,¡± says WILJ co-president Angela Yuen, 49, an Australian who works as deputy general counsel at Jera Co. Inc.

WILJ brings together Japanese and non-Japanese legal professionals working in private practice and in-house roles. Its members come from more than 20 countries and include not only lawyers but business development professionals, consultants, academics and other specialists.

A significant recent development was WILJ¡¯s registration in 2024 as an ippan shadan h¨­jin (general incorporated association), a process led by Yuen and co-president Laarni ¡°Lani¡± Victoria Vinas, along with treasurer Naoko Adachi. Despite administrative hurdles, the move was seen as a step forward for the organization.

¡°We saw it as a way of institutionalizing the organization and our commitment to advance its mission within the legal community in Japan, and of signaling WILJ¡¯s growth and maturity,¡± says Vinas, 42, who hails from the Philippines and works as the legal director at Shusaku-Yamamoto LLP.

The group organizes regular networking events and workshops focused on professional development and gender equality. Its mentoring program ¡ª shaped by vice president Carlotta Bruessel, executive committee member Maria Abe and senior practitioners from all areas of practice in Tokyo ¡ª has helped sustain its activities.

The program pairs more experienced lawyers with younger professionals across organizations. It is typically run on an annual basis and has created more than 100 mentor-mentee connections to date.

A rising generation of WILJ members is taking on leadership...