I work for an IT company in Tokyo, handling corporate legal affairs and laws. I perform legal checks, which involve reviewing legal documents and contracts with clients to ensure there are no overly advantageous terms for one party or any typos, according to various laws specified in the Six Codes. After checking everything thoroughly, I receive a stamp from my supervisor and send the feedback to the client, asking if everything is okay. This process is called a legal check, and I mostly do that.

My previous job was in real estate sales, which was completely different from my current industry and job type. Transitioning from sales to an administrative role, I didn't dislike sales but wanted to try an administrative job. Additionally, since I graduated from a law faculty, I thought I could utilize my knowledge in a legal affairs role. That's when I became aware of the legal affairs job for the first time and decided to pursue it. I happened to receive an offer, leading to my transition.

I chose real estate because I wanted to earn money. As a fresh graduate, I was a bit embarrassed to say I couldn't find what I really wanted to do, so I thought, if I have to do a job anyway, I might as well earn money. When I wondered what job that could be, I found real estate sales, got an introduction, and received an offer, so I decided on that.

It's been good. My values regarding work and my vague future aspirations align more with my current workplace, making me think switching jobs was a good decision.

I had only encountered law through university studies, so there was a bit of a gap when it came to applying it in practical work. Even now, I'm not fully accustomed to it, especially in the first three months, when I faced many unknowns and realized that applying knowledge in work is quite different, hitting a wall at times.

AI is quite capable of quickly drafting documents, so I delegate some tasks to it, but I still check for errors as I think AI can't fully replace human oversight yet. However, I wonder what the situation will be like in 5 to 10 years; it's uncertain at this point.

We have a retained lawyer who is extremely competent, so much so that I sometimes struggle to keep up. I think it would be fun to expand my knowledge and practical experience to have more equal conversations with them. Especially, the speed at which lawyers process information and work is impressive; they were a figure of admiration during my university days, but talking to them made me realize just how impressive they are.

If I could go back, I'd like to study more towards the bar exam. This thought came after switching to my current job. During my previous real estate sales job, I was too busy to consider such a thing, focusing on earning money by securing contracts. Now, if I could go back to being a university student, I'd want to study more. Seeing the Six Codes again, I remember studying them and think there might have been more I could have done, reflecting on my past self each time.

This might be unique to me, but I quite enjoy reading detailed documents. I've always liked reading books, and going through articles and provisions that I've rarely seen makes me think each company has its own style, which I find interesting. When I feel this, I'm absorbed in my work, sometimes losing track of time. Going to work doesn't feel like a chore, and although I wouldn't say I'm excited about the start of a new week, my mindset is clearly different from my previous job.

Since legal checks are my main task, ensuring there are no mistakes is quite stressful, even now. Although I review documents multiple times, there were many mistakes at first, which was somewhat forgivable, but as I approach my one-year anniversary, I feel the tension of not wanting to make mistakes. Since legal processing requires accuracy to maintain credibility, I have to be strict, which is stressful.

During my previous job, I only knew that company, thinking this is how things are. I graduated and started job hunting just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, leading to the cancellation of job offers from companies I wanted to work for. I felt a sense of obligation to the company that hired me, making it hard to leave immediately. When I started wondering about my next career move and couldn't imagine myself staying at that company, I began considering a job change, which led to my transition about six months later.

In my previous job, it was about 90% work, but now it's 50-50. I divide my time between work and private life, which has given me more mental space after switching jobs. I aim to balance both work and private life.

I believe a strong desire to change your current environment and move towards your next career is crucial. Although it might sound a bit harsh, I think the stronger this desire, the more likely the job change will be successful. However, I also understand that everyone's situation is different. Following the flow, if there's no strong desire, one might continue to struggle with their current job, constantly worrying. Taking that first step is crucial, and then it's all about personal effort and hard work.

In my previous job, I was so busy with work that I thought earning a lot of money by securing contracts was the key to happiness. However, upon reflection, I realized that balancing work with a fulfilling private life, where I could pursue hobbies like soccer, would bring me true happiness. I believe happiness comes from finding a good balance between work and personal life.

In 5 years, when I'm 32 or 33, I wonder how much AI will have advanced and if my job will still exist. I also hope for positive changes in my personal life, such as starting a family. I look forward to these potential changes.

For new graduates, studying during university is crucial. While no special qualifications are required for new graduates, studying law, whether in law school or through self-study, won't hurt. For mid-career entrants, given the niche and specialized nature of the job, a strong commitment and perseverance are necessary. If you have confidence in these areas, I highly recommend pursuing a career in legal affairs as it's a fascinating field.

If you don't have a clear desire to change jobs, I think you might not need to. However, if you've been considering a job change for a long time and feel disengaged from your current job, I believe taking action now is important. Waiting won't change your environment or future career; you need to take the initiative. Taking that first step is crucial, and then it's all about your own effort and hard work.