In this episode, Ashurst Head of First Nations Strategy Trent Wallace is joined by colleagues Natsuko Ogawa and Lea Constantine to reflect on their recent visit to Japan. As well as several productive meetings with clients in Tokyo, the trio also attended World Expo 2025 in Osaka where Trent spoke about engagement with First Nations people in Australia.

Natsuko reflects on her work over the past three decades, which has helped strengthen relationships between Ashurst’s Japanese clients and Australian businesses in the mining, resources, real estate and energy sectors. Lea explains why businesses seeking to invest in Australia are increasingly focusing on First Nations engagement. And Trent recalls the respectful, polite – and very frank – conversations he enjoyed with clients in Japan.

Natsuko describes the “revelation” that there are so many “clear links between First Nations and Japanese culture” and explains how progressive Japanese businesses are seeking more opportunities to connect with and employ First Nations people in Australia. Lea reflects, “One thing that dawned on me in Japan was that Australia is well known for safety, security and stability. And Japan really values those things as well.” While Trent adds: “It was a joy to recognise our similarities and find synergies.”

Packed with optimism, inspiration and insight, this episode provides plenty of food for thought for business leaders in Australia and Japan alike.

In this episode, Ashurst Head of First Nations Strategy Trent Wallace is joined by colleagues Natsuko Ogawa and Lea Constantine to reflect on their recent visit to Japan. As well as several productive meetings with clients in Tokyo, the trio also attended World Expo 2025 in Osaka where Trent spoke about engagement with First Nations people in Australia.
Natsuko reflects on her work over the past three decades, which has helped strengthen relationships between Ashurst&rsquo;s Japanese clients and Australian businesses in the mining, resources, real estate and energy sectors. Lea explains why businesses seeking to invest in Australia are increasingly focusing on First Nations engagement. And Trent recalls the respectful, polite &ndash; and very frank &ndash; conversations he enjoyed with clients in Japan.
Natsuko describes the &ldquo;revelation&rdquo; that there are so many &ldquo;clear links between First Nations and Japanese culture&rdquo; and explains how progressive Japanese businesses are seeking more opportunities to connect with and employ First Nations people in Australia. Lea reflects, &ldquo;One thing that dawned on me in Japan was that Australia is well known for safety, security and stability. And Japan really values those things as well.&rdquo; While Trent adds: &ldquo;It was a joy to recognise our similarities and find synergies.&rdquo;
Packed with optimism, inspiration and insight, this episode provides plenty of food for thought for business leaders in Australia and Japan alike.

Sustainability is an issue that affects us all, but how can we take steps to provoke meaningful change and make a lasting impact on environmental, social and governance issues across the globe? We explore the intersection of business value with business values for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Sustainability is an issue that affects us all, but how can we take steps to provoke meaningful change and make a lasting impact on environmental, social and governance issues across the globe? We explore the intersection of business value with business values for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Join us for our first podcast series, ESG Matters @ Ashurst as we go searching for answers and providing practical advice to help you address the challenges facing your organisation.

ESG Matters @ Ashurst Podcast

ESG Matters @ Ashurst

Ashurst colleagues Trent Wallace, Natsuko Ogawa and Lea Constantine yarn about Japanese clients’ curiosity and openness about First Nations issues. They also describe the opportunity to further strengthen ties between Australia and Japan – two nations which share much more in common than you might expect.

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