Jandals in Japan Podcast

Catherine O'Connell

Jandals in Japan Co-Host

Originally from Christchurch, Catherine O’Connell has lived in Japan since 2002 and has built a distinguished 23-year career as legal counsel in leading Japanese corporations. In 2018, she launched Catherine O’Connell Law, Tokyo’s first foreign female–founded boutique law firm, now a multi-award-winning practice.

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Catherine is Vice Chair Emerita of the Australian & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (2012–2025) and currently serves as an Audit & Supervisory Board Member at Fujitsu Limited (2022–). She previously served on the Audit & Supervisory Board of Toyota Motor Corporation (2023–2025).
A trusted advisor to boards and coach/mentor to C-suite executives, Catherine helps leaders excel in the complex Japanese business environment with cross-cultural clarity and strategic insight.
Alongside co-hosting the Jandals in Japan Podcast, she is also the host of the award-winning Lawyer on Air Podcast, highlighting untold stories of women in law in Japan.

Jayne Nakata

Jandals in Japan Co-Host

Originally from Te Anau, New Zealand, Jayne has lived in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan for over 20 years. Jayne is a podcaster, founder of the multi award winning Podcast Production Agency, PodLaunch with Jayne which supports small business and busy professionals to launch and maintain their own podcasts without needing to visit a studio.

Jayne also has extensive experience in the Japanese public education system both as a teacher and as a parent. She has worked for over 20 years in the English conversation industry and is a leader in training and education for up and coming teachers.

After the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit her Japanese home town in 2011, she decided not to leave, but to stay and overcome the challenges of living there. Jayne is very active in the international community of Iwaki and a leading New Zealand resident there. Through the Jandals in Japan Podcast she helps to build and strengthen the bridge between Japan and New Zealand from grassroots and over the airwaves.