Tokyo secondment story

Experiencing an earthquake while sitting at my desk on the 37th floor definitely wasn’t a conventional start to my secondment at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune. It was, however, moving to observe the Japanese people’s jishuku (self-restraint) and stoicism in what was, and for many still remains, a very difficult time.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune has exuded professionalism throughout the crisis and work has been constant, varied and challenging. Very much in keeping with Slaughter and May's own multi-specialist approach, the lawyers here handle a broad range of legal issues. Notwithstanding my complete lack of Japanese language skills, I have been involved in matters ranging from employment to banking law. So far, my work has included a large dose of drafting, reading the Canadian Insolvency Act and co-writing an article on foreign insurers in Japan.

A secondment is not all about work however. Tokyo has regained much of its neon lights and franticness. Seemingly, it is the same as any other "big smoke", with its hordes of commuters and sprawling size. However, nowhere else have I ever seen "Cat Cafes" (where customers pay to spend time with its resident felines) or avant-garde art and gravity-defying architecture co-existing perfectly with ancient shrines.

• Daniel Tan
• Trainee secondment