Angela Li

IP Assistant

“Be prepared to work hard, but also be prepared to have a lot of fun. There is so much to get out of this experience professionally, culturally and personally that you could not ever pack into the same amount of time at home.”

 

How did your work experience at SY help you in your professional career so far?

Working at SY helped me identify things I was interested in and things I wanted to improve on. The experience convinced me to pursue a law degree and to practice intellectual property law. It showed me the importance of grit -- definitely an asset to have as a law student and as a lawyer. The specific knowledge of Japan's IP regime that I have retained also becomes surprisingly handy sometimes in my current position.

What did you like most about living and working in Osaka?

We are blessed to be right beside the Osaka Castle Park, which showcases nature's splendour in all seasons. On a nice day, I would walk through the park to go to work, take in the tranquility and beautiful scenery before a hectic day.

What is the most important thing that working at SY has taught you about yourself?

Working at the firm helped me develop an awareness to think in the clients' shoes. It also taught me to stay calm in crises. There will be a solution. You just need to breathe, think, and perhaps find the right people to help you out. These are invaluable things to know in any career.

What advice would you give to entry level recruits?

The firm prides itself on the quality of work it does, that includes all the seemingly less important e-mails and letters you write at the beginning. Excel at every level and there will be opportunities to work on a variety of things. If you have a particular interest or need, voice it. Sometimes, all it takes is to ask.

What was the most difficult aspect of adjusting to work in Japan?

Hearing about the culture at Japanese workplaces did not fully prepare me for experiencing it. There were moments when it was difficult to reconcile the ways in Japan with those I was brought up in. That being said, the supportiveness of fellow foreign staff did make the transition easier.

What has been your fondest experience in Japan?

I am very glad that in addition to Osaka, I was able to live and work in Tokyo and Fukuoka, where I was stationed for three months, respectively. Thanks to this staffing arrangement, I was able to learn about other regions of Japan in depth and see more amazing sights. One of them was the most venerated Mt. Fuji, which I saw at a fairly close distance at Owakudani in Hakone. In real life, the mountain transpires majesty with a mythical air --something that doesn't come across thoroughly in photos or through the windows of Shinkansen (i.e. bullet train).

How did you cope with the stresses of working and living in Japan?

I don't think I experienced any particular stress of "living" in Japan. I grew up in big cities, so Osaka was quite a natural habitat for me. For sure I was often lost in translation at the beginning, but personally I love the thrill of struggling to make sense of my surrounding, so for me that was not really "stress" per se. As for "working", the hours could be long, and a lot was expected of every staff member. On those days, I would put my head down and work, but have faith and look forward to all the fun activities lined up for the coming weekend. Good times fly, but so do busy times.

What one piece of advice you would offer to someone looking to work at Shusaku Yamamoto?

Be prepared to work hard, but also be prepared to have a lot of fun. There is so much to get out of this experience professionally, culturally and personally that you could not ever pack into the same amount of time at home.