Interview with Kazutaka Mori, International Lawyer in Singapore

Definer's representative, Mr. Sakamoto, interviewed Mr. Kazutaka Mori, an international lawyer who has been supporting the company as an advisor.
Kazutaka Mori, an international lawyer who is currently practicing in Singapore.
Mr. Kazutaka Mori is currently practicing law in Singapore. He has been supporting a wide range of M&A, blockchain, token investment, etc., and we will interview him to learn about his true face, beliefs, and philosophy.

Greetings

Sakamoto

Thank you very much for your valuable time today, Mr. Mori!

Mr. Mori

No problem, anytime. I'm glad I could help.

First steps taken as a lawyer, not a judge.

Sakamoto

I am very grateful for the feedback from a multifaceted perspective on the legal side, and at the same time, for the knowledge that is very useful for our business, such as the differences in legal perspectives from country to country. First of all, may I ask you about your career and background?

Mr. Mori

Yes, I would like to start by asking you about your career and background. I originally wanted to be involved in juvenile cases and other cases, and I set my sights on becoming a judge and entered the judiciary. Then, during my legal training after graduating from graduate school, I met a certain lawyer and decided to become a lawyer.

Sakamoto

Oh, I have always had the impression that you are a kind-hearted person, and it was with this in mind that you decided to pursue a career in the judiciary. What made you decide to take the path of a lawyer instead of that of a judge?

Mr. Mori

I was strangely convinced when a lawyer told me, "A judge's job is to eat and evaluate what has been cooked, and it is more difficult to gather ingredients and cook them well. I had a desire to help people in trouble in juvenile cases and other cases, so I felt that being a lawyer was right for me.

Sakamoto

I see, so you wanted to become a lawyer so that you could produce good results on your own. Can you tell us about when you first started your career as a lawyer in Japan?

Mr. Mori

First, I experienced a variety of cases at the law firm where I apprenticed, but I felt that I wanted to do what I wanted to do on my own, so I went independent after six months.

Independence and worries as the business grows

Sakamoto

Oh, independence in six months! That's very courageous. If it were me, I would have thought about working for more than three years. How did you feel after you became independent?

Mr. Mori

First of all, as a so-called "city attorney," I supported a wide range of cases, including criminal cases, juvenile cases, and private cases. I was working hard, and more and more work came in, and I took on many cases. I think I was making more money than an ordinary lawyer. On the other hand, I also felt I was reaching my limits.

Sakamoto

I see that your law practice was going well after you became independent. Did you have any problems?

Mr. Mori

The job of a city attorney is basically dispute resolution. People are often grateful to me, but on the other hand, there were people involved who would yell at me, and I also had numerous shambles. While I found it rewarding, I also felt a strong desire to pursue work that only I could do while I was still young.

Sakamoto

This is a problem that comes from being a lawyer, a job with great responsibility. May I ask how you made the giant leap from there to your current position in Singapore?"

Mr. Mori

I would like to ask you how you ended up in Singapore. At that time, the number of corporate advisors in Japan was increasing, and overseas cases were being handled by firms specializing in overseas cases. Seeing that, I thought I would like to do the same.

Sakamoto

Wow, you have a spirit of challenge. That's great!

Mr. Mori

Since I was a student, I have always been interested in things that were a little different, and I was willing to take on unusual part-time jobs. I happened to take on a naughty child as a tutor, and word spread, and I ended up working as a tutor exclusively for such children throughout my college years. It was hard work, but it was a very good experience for me.

Sakamoto

I hope my children will learn from your spirit. When my children are born, I would love to come up to greet them. How did you grab a ticket to Singapore after you felt you wanted to do an overseas project?

A Ticket to Singapore and an Encounter with Blockchain Deals

Mr. Mori

Since I realized that I was able to work with constant success in Japan, I felt that I wanted to challenge myself overseas, so I posted on Facebook that I was going to study abroad in Singapore first. Then, a senior at my high school asked me, "I'm looking for a lawyer to do overseas cases, so why don't you work at my office?" I came to Singapore for a year and a half, working hard on overseas cases and my English Study.

Sakamoto

I see, the power of Facebook is great. Thanks to Facebook, I was able to reunite with my best friend who went to Kazakhstan when I was in high school due to his parents' job transfer. What kind of encounters did you have after you went to Singapore?

Mr. Mori

In Singapore, there were a lot of projects in the blockchain area and Fintech. I think it is also because it is easy to attract advanced investors and entrepreneurs. In this context, I have been able to increase my contacts with private bankers and other finance-related people. They consulted with me on blockchain projects, and when they had trouble finding someone to consult with, they came to me.

Sakamoto

Oh, so that's how you came to be in charge of advanced projects. It must have taken a lot of courage to do that, but how did you come to be in charge?

Mr. Mori

I was studying bitcoin in a book back in 2016 or so." I had a vague feeling that it was going to be an interesting world". My policy is to get results as a lawyer, even in cases that seem a bit troublesome. Even when I was in Japan, I won cases that I had been rejected by about 10 other firms.

Sakamoto

Hmmm. The more I hear about you, the more I feel that you are an exemplary businessman and lawyer. I would very much like to hear about those work values.

Mr. Mori

I make it my life's purpose to find another way to cut through the noise and get results, even if others say it's no good. When I am asked to do something like that, I get all worked up! For example, depth of knowledge alone is not enough; we need ideas, so I value that kind of flexibility.

What does Mr. Mori consider to be a good lawyer?

Sakamoto

Oh, I see. It is just like the drama world of "Suits". I would love to ask you, what are the important things that people who can achieve results as good and strong lawyers have in common?

Mr. Mori

I think it is very important to have many weapons. In the age of swords, a pistol wins. In the age of rockets, you win if you have instantaneous movement. If Japan doesn't work, let's do it in this country! I also take care to express myself to the judges based on psychological aspects, for example.

Sakamoto

I see. What kind of specific expressions do you use?

Mr. Mori

This is just an example, but for example, when I have a client who wants to complain of sexual harassment. A diary or the contents of consultations with friends can be used as evidence, but if the lawyer submits them as they are as evidence, they may not be credited by the judge. During the interrogation process, we ask the victim to testify that he or she kept a diary, and then we ask the judge to look at the diary as evidence. This makes it easier for the judge to be convinced.

Sakamoto

Reality. I think this is very important. A casual expression can change the other party's impression of you.

Mr. Mori

Some lawyers give an undeserved explanation of the same facts. Once they have a sense of distrust, they will not trust you anymore. So, I really value that point of view of representation.

People Mr. Mori wants to work with

Sakamoto

I think this is an important attitude to have not only in the world of lawyers, but in any industry. By the way, as you work with people from various industries, what kind of people would you like to work with? May I ask you?

Mr. Mori

Someone who is trying to realize a new and exciting worldview. It is not enough to be profitable, nor is it enough to be unprofitable. I like entrepreneurs and businessmen who have a good balance. For example, when I make angel investments, I feel as if I am asking the entrepreneur to create a field for my own exciting world.

Sakamoto

I am a little embarrassed because you have invested in me. I always feel that I want to both turn the business around well and be socially responsible. As an angel investor, is there a sense that you value?

Mr. Mori

I am attracted to professionals in fields I am not familiar with. I don't invest in people who are not familiar with the field but want to start a business anyway. I invest only in those who have overwhelming passion and knowledge. The other thing that makes me different from other investors is that I may be projecting my dreams onto other people. Imagining another life, if you will.

Sakamoto

That's a very nice way of thinking about angel investing. That makes a lot of sense to me.

Mr. Mori

Both my work as a lawyer and my angel investment are not about passing on a specific firm or company to my children or grandchildren, but rather I hope to contribute to the future world by making even a small contribution to the services and technologies that will remain in the world as a result of my support.

Sakamoto

It is indeed wonderful to contribute to society in such a way outside of one's own business. Also, having experienced both Singapore and Japan, and having seen projects in various countries, what kind of society or organization do you feel is good?

Mr. Mori

Personally, I don't like things that are too organized. lol Of course, organizations are important, and they can do things that individuals cannot do. In my case, I am a lawyer and very labor-intensive, so I think it is inevitable that I become an individual player. If I had to venture a guess, I would say it's a fair world where hard work is rewarded.

Mr. Mori's Philosophy of Work

Sakamoto

If people are rewarded fairly for their efforts and achievements, and if they are rewarded for their results, the economy will grow. Finally, what is your philosophy in your work? May I ask you?

Mr. Mori

I always give back more than what is asked of me, and I always give back more than what is asked of me. That is what I value. I am also always conscious of my positioning. I take every possible measure to help my clients grow. I also place importance on taking a sharp position, but keeping my feet on the ground and producing solid, steady results.

Sakamoto

I, too, will do my best to be mindful of my position, while at the same time placing importance on achieving solid, down-to-earth results. Thank you very much for your valuable time today!