Please note that this is an online event.
A Zoom access link will be sent to all participants 2 hours before the session is scheduled to start.

In May 2019, the revised Act on Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policies (the “Revised Act”) was enacted, which became mandatory also for SMEs in April 2022. For the first time in Japan, legal requirements were established for power harassment, obliging employers to take preventive measures to stop workplace misconduct where there is a power differential.

On April 4, the BCCJ will be joined by Hiroshi Chiba of Tokyo Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm and Catherine O’Connell of Catherine O’Connell Law to explore what the legislation means for companies of all sizes. Our speakers will provide an overview of what defines power harassment, measures that employers should enforce to prevent it, share real-world examples of how cases have surfaced, and explain how the new laws are applicable even in an online environment.

Hiroshi Chiba | Lawyer, Tokyo Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm

Born in Tokyo, graduated from Kaisei Junior and Senior High School and the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law, studied at Takae& Abe, established Chiba Sogo Law Office in 1996, and has been the Managing Partner in Tokyo Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm since April 2022. His areas of expertise include civil, labor, insurance and corporate law.
Read full bio HERE

Hiroshi Chiba | Lawyer, Tokyo Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm

Born in Tokyo, graduated from Kaisei Junior and Senior High School and the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law, studied at Takae& Abe, established Chiba Sogo Law Office in 1996, and has been the Managing Partner in Tokyo Uchisaiwaicho Law Firm since April 2022. His areas of expertise include civil, labor, insurance and corporate law.
Read full bio HERE

Catherine O’Connell | Catherine O’Connell Law

Catherine O’Connell is a is a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales, a Foreign Registered Lawyer in Japan and member of the Tokyo Dai-Ichi Bar Association. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and is Founder & Principal of “Catherine O’Connell Law”. She is an Entrepreneur member of BBCJ and won the BCCJ Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the British Business Awards in 2020. Catherine specializes in corporate and commercial law and provides fractional lawyer on demand support to big and small companies, and works as outside General Counsel on retainer. Catherine serves on the Board of CSL Behring K.K, is President of Women in Law Japan and hosts the Award-Winning Lawyer on Air Podcast. Significantly also, in June 2022, she was appointed an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of FUJITSU Limited – becoming the first non-Japanese female to serve in this role. More about Catherine HERE

Catherine O’Connell | Catherine O’Connell Law

Catherine O’Connell is a is a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales, a Foreign Registered Lawyer in Japan and member of the Tokyo Dai-Ichi Bar Association. She is the first foreign female to set up her own law practice in Tokyo and is Founder & Principal of “Catherine O’Connell Law”. She is an Entrepreneur member of BBCJ and won the BCCJ Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the British Business Awards in 2020. Catherine specializes in corporate and commercial law and provides fractional lawyer on demand support to big and small companies, and works as outside General Counsel on retainer. Catherine serves on the Board of CSL Behring K.K, is President of Women in Law Japan and hosts the Award-Winning Lawyer on Air Podcast. Significantly also, in June 2022, she was appointed an Independent Audit & Supervisory Board Member of FUJITSU Limited – becoming the first non-Japanese female to serve in this role. More about Catherine HERE