Advocacy and Empowerment: Yumi Itakura shines a light on family law and gender violence in Japan

Yumi Itakura is a feminist theorist and practicing lawyer who runs the Sakura International Law Office in Japan. The conversation delves into Yumi's extensive work on addressing gender violence, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment, especially for foreign women. We are so fortunate to have Yumi working on these issues to support families and women in particular. If you are wondering what it’s like to work in this area or you are in need of legal support for a family matter such as divorce or a gender violence related matter in Japan then this is the episode for you. You can find a full list of Yumi’s recommended legal resources and lawyers on the page for this episode on my website. https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/...

In this episode you’ll hear:
How Yumi’s work supporting gender violence against foreign women in Japan is her true passion
Some recent cases Yumi has worked on which demonstrate the challenges that foreign women face in Japan
Yumi’s guidance on the four kinds of divorce proceedings available in Japan and what not to select if you are two foreigners deciding to divorce.
Her favourite author, her favourite Hollywood actor and what she would do if she was not a lawyer

About Yumi
Yumi Itakura, is a feminist theorist and a practicing lawyer admitted in Japan as a bengoshi. She is at the Sakura International Law office and has been based in Tokyo for 20 years.

Yumi graduated from Tsuda University with a BA in International Relations (1994) and did her Diploma at the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (2005). Yumi was a visiting scholar dispatched from the Japan Federation of Bar Associations to the University of California, Berkeley School of Law to research the U.S Labor system for gender equality in the workplace.

After working in the Tokyo Public Law Office and in a private law firm in Tokyo she took the step to open her own practice.

Yumi specializes in family law and labor law. She has worked in the fields of domestic violence, discrimination in the workplace, sexual assault, and harassment for many years through her legal consultation, representing victims in their legal proceedings as well as advocacy activities as a member of Gender Equality Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

As there is an increasing number of cases where foreign national women living in Japan are also suffering from gender related violence and discrimination in the family and the workplace. They can find it difficult to locate a capable lawyer to help them in Japan. Yumi Itakura is one such lawyer who can provide legal services to foreign clients in both Japanese and English.

Yumi is also an adjunct lecturer of labor and employment law at Hitotsubashi Business School of Law. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga and listen to Jazz fusion music. In particular, Yumi is a big fan of Eliane Elias and Pat Metheny Group.

Connect with Yumi
Sakura International Law Office: https://skrint-law.com/en/

Links
Star Bar Ginza: ​​ https://www.starbar.jp/
Bar Lupin Ginza: http://www.lupin.co.jp/
Natsuo Kirino https://www.amazon.com/stores/Natsuo-...

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:57 Meet Yumi Itakura: Feminist Lawyer and Advocate
06:12 Yumi's Career Journey and Inspirations
15:11 Challenges and Cases in Gender-Based Violence
19:30 Advocacy and Legal Support for Foreign Women
22:04 Navigating Divorce and Custody in Japan
24:04 International Divorce Dilemma
25:44 Navigating Mediation
28:04 Custody and Court Bias
32:45 Future of Joint Custody in Japan
34:21 Personal is Political
36:00 Final Thoughts and Advice
37:47 Fun and Personal Questions
41:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Catherine
Linked In   / oconnellcatherine  
Instagram:   / lawyeronair  
YouTube:    / @lawyeronair