Rika Beppu

Business adviser, Lawyer, Parent

I aspired to become an international business lawyer after graduating with a degree in English language and foreign studies from a Japanese university. I had an eye-opening experience by moving to England and attending law school and training to become a lawyer. The history, people and society of the United Kingdom changed my perception of the world. I have been working as a corporate M&A lawyer in Tokyo since 2001, when I had the chance to move back home to open up my firm's Tokyo office. As a manager and business adviser, I have been challenged and stimulated by the business culture in Japan. I would like to continue to assist Japanese and international companies to expand their businesses in Japan and globally.

female career progression in the Japanese corporate world, Ashoka Foundation and my two young boys

My husband Taito Okiura is a committed TEDster who has been attending TED for the past seven years. He found out about TEDWomen 2015 and strongly encouraged me to attend despite him being left with our two young boys (five and four)! He had the chance to attend TED when it was held in Monterey, and he is really nostalgic about that experience. With his encouragement, I decided to take time off work to attend and fully immerse myself into this new experience! I am really looking forward to the conference and to meeting everyone.

event planning for my kids' birthdays, family gatherings, office parties and client events. I love to create an environment where everyone can have a great time, so I put my heart and soul into it!