いきなりですが、「Fonterra」という会社を聞いたことがありますか？おそらく、多くの日本人は「うーん…?」と答えるのではないでしょうか。恥ずかしながら私もNZに来るまで、「あ、ロゴは見たことあるかもしれない…」というレベルでした。 しかーし！！実はあなたもFonterraさんのお世話になっております。間違いなく。「私は、そんなことないよ～」と思ったあなた、嘘です（笑）。

Taiki Ito : Cross-cultural Communication Intern  English follows. 北海道札幌市出身。生まれてから就職まで北海道で過ごし、現在はニュージーランドのヴィクトリア大学ウェリントン校にて、修士課程（Master of Business Analysis）を専攻中。 留学前の職務経験を通じて、グローバルビジネスにおける異文化理解の重要性を実感し、ニュージーランド独自のビジネス文化や慣習に関心を持っていたところ、『Jandals in Japan』に遭遇。数々のエピソードに触れる中で、「これこそ日本人に知ってほしい」という両国のビジネス連携に役立つヒント凝縮されていることに気づき、チームのCross-cultural Communication担当として日本人向けブログ執筆を開始。 現地で感じるリアルな空気感とともに、Jandalsたちが語るエピソードに詰まった学びやヒントを日本の読者へ届けます。 I was born and raised in Sapporo, Hokkaido, wher

Catherine kicked off 2026 on the Tokyo radio airwaves, appearing on interFM’s Peace & Business Talk , interviewed in Japanese by Keiko Okada . The first of three episodes aired on January 4 , exploring cross-cultural collaboration, leadership, and bridge-building between Japan and New Zealand. Tune in to upcoming broadcasts: Episode 2:  February 1 at 8:30am Episode 3:  March 1 at 8:30am Listen to Episode 1 here:未来をひらく人 – Peace & Business TalkinterFM 2026/1/4(日) 08:30–08:45...

Jayne Nakata will be sharing her journey from New Zealand to Japan and her learnings as a 23 year resident of Iwaki City through her monthly column in the Read Iwaki monthly magazine. By sharing her story of overcoming various cultural differences she hopes that people in Iwaki will understand more about what life is like for people who choose to make Japan their home and increase understanding and a sense of pride in the wonder city of Iwaki, Fukushima. Her column is titled:

From Kiwi Flees: In this episode of Kiwi Flees, Jayne & Catherine share their experiences of arriving separately in Japan over 20 years ago, both thinking they'd only be away for a year or two but finding themselves hooked to their adopted country over two decades later. We discuss their different but also connected lives. Jayne being rurally-based with her family in Fukushima which suffered a triple disaster in 2011 of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. Jayne shares

On a warm Auckland morning, Catherine convened the very first informal meet-up of Japanese Kiwi lawyers and Japan-connected legal professionals . Joining the conversation were: Serene Sakairi  – Solicitor, Morrison Partners Ltd Takeshi Ito  – Lawyer & Company Secretary, Hospitality Services Ltd Mac Curtis  – Former Big Four Japan legal translator and upcoming UK Bar entrant Over flat whites and cheese scones in Newmarket, the group shared career experiences, discussed the leg

Jayne Nakata's multi-award winning, boutique podcast agency has entered it's sixth year of business. Jayne has been an avid podcaster since 2018 before podcasting became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since starting out helping others to launch and maintain their own podcasts, Jayne has launched many podcasts in the English language space in Japan as well as hosted, produced and edited award winning podcasts such as: Lawyer on Air, by Catherine O'Connell Transformatio

On November 12, Catherine attended the Tokyo–Kurashiki Furusato-kai, where former Kurashiki and Okayama residents - now living in Tokyo - gathered to celebrate their roots through food, song, and cultural performances. Kurashiki holds special meaning for Catherine: it is Christchurch’s sister city, and she has visited it more than 30 times .  A highlight of the evening was reconnecting with Mayor Kaori Ito ,  instantly recognizable in her signature denim suit, proudly represe

Catherine returned to Rotorua in 2025 for the second time to attend the 51st Japan – NZ Business Council Conference  and once again, the geothermal landscape and strong sense of wairua made it a memorable gathering. The program brought together business leaders, innovators, and bridge-builders committed to strengthening NZ–Japan collaboration. Catherine enjoyed reconnecting with long-time colleagues while welcoming new faces into the network. A special highlight was finally

Catherine joined the Kiwi Aussie Mixer at Yotel in Shinjuku. This event is hosted by ANZCCJ semi-monthly where Kiwis, Aussies and Japanese come together for fun networking. No agenda, no speakers, no panels. Just mixing and mingling with Kiwi and Aussie beverages and finger food. Check out ANZCCJ events page for the next Kiwi Aussie Mixer event.

Risky Women® is a global network connecting, celebrating and championing women in governance, risk and compliance since 2014. Risky Women featured Catherine O’Connell in their list of Women to Watch in October 2025. She spoke about her trailblazing as a lawyer and board member breaking barriers as the first foreign woman on Toyota and Fujitsu boards. She pioneered flexible General Counsel services in Japan and hosts Lawyer on Air, amplifying women lawyers' voices. A bridge-bu

🇯🇵🤝🇳🇿 On 20 October, Hon Nicola Willis MP , New Zealand’s Minister for Finance, Economic Growth and Social Investment, visited Japan  for a series of engagements, including an intimate breakfast in Tokyo with business leaders and investors who proudly champion New Zealand in their daily work. Catherine had the pleasure to meet the Minister in person and hear her reaffirm that Japan remains one of New Zealand’s closest and most valued economic partners. The deep and long-

Jayne and Catherine are excited to announce that the Jandals in Japan Book is coming in  2026 !  Listen in to the episode  on the Jandals in Japan podcast to hear more and find out how you can join them for the ride. Jayne and Catherine will be updating fans via their Jandals in Japan newsletter as they progress, and they hope that fans will enjoy the peek behind the scenes into the process. It turns out that writing a book is quite the project, even with the help of the many

On Wednesday, 5 November 2025, the  New Zealand Embassy , in collaboration with the  Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ) , will host an informal fireside chat and networking reception with  Ms Lucy Duncan, New Zealand Chargé d'Affaires in Japan .   Catherine is scheduled to facilitate the fireside chat. This will be a great opportunity to hear Ambassador Duncan’s insights on the current state of the New Zealand-Japan relationship, evolving regiona

After 12 dedicated years with the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan - including 10 years as Vice Chair - Catherine...

This month marked Catherine’s fourth year on Fujitsu's Audit & Supervisory Board - a role that continues to challenge and inspire her as...

Returning to Kansai for the first time in years, Catherine joined the NZ Embassy and NZTE to celebrate Matariki—the Māori New Year. Held...

In June, Catherine joined Misako Kitaoka of Education New Zealand to host Mrs Iwaya, wife of Japan’s Foreign Minister, and her delegation...

Jayne Nakata was selected by Iwaki City to facilitate the visit of local officials on board the ship and conduct a welcome ceremony for...

Jayne Nakata was asked by Kita Ibaraki City's International Association to support Japanese students heading to New Zealand for study by...