Job Title: In-House Legal Counsel
Location: [Tokyo, Japan]
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide in-house legal advice across a variety of business activities to protect the company's interests and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
- Collaborate with external law firms as necessary to address complex legal matters.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments that impact the company's operations.
- Draft, review, and finalize legal documents related to the company's operations, including but not limited to:
- Land leases, land purchase agreements, and ancillary documents (Letters of intent, memorandums of understanding, brokerage contracts, etc.).
- M&A contracts for acquiring existing businesses and associated entities.
- Applications and reporting forms for permits, approvals, and licenses from utilities, governments, and other authorities.
- Agreements with local communities, neighbors, and local associations (Fisheries, Agricultural, etc.).
- EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) agreements and O&M (Operation and Maintenance) contracts for construction and operational phases.
- Power purchase agreements and related ancillary documents for electricity sales.
- Finance agreements for securing equity and debt for project execution.
- Internal corporate governance documents in line with the Companies Act and shareholder interests.
- Lead legal due diligence efforts for proposed projects, collaborating with external professionals as required.
- Provide senior management with actionable insights to assess the legality and feasibility of transactions.
- Engage in dialogue with shareholders, authorities, and transaction counterparties to address legal matters effectively.
- Provide clear and persuasive communication to internal and external stakeholders in both Japanese and English.
- Assist in the adjustment of contract terms and support consensus building among stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain templates and archives of legal documents for efficient team reference.
- Ensure document organization to facilitate compliance and operational efficiency.
- Conduct compliance training and establish and manage internal compliance systems.
- Identify, analyze, and propose solutions for legal risks associated with projects.
- Support dispute resolution and manage litigation.
- Offer legal support for board meetings and shareholder meetings.
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication skills in Japanese (written and spoken).
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken).
- 3+ years of legal experience in the renewable energy sector.
- Strong knowledge of Japanese and international laws related to business, corporate governance, and project development.
- Proficiency in drafting and negotiating complex contracts.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in addressing legal risks.
- Able to work independently.
