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Wayve is building an AI platform for autonomous driving, pioneering an end-to-end AI approach that enables vehicles to learn from real-world experience. As Senior Counsel, Regulatory in Tokyo, you will provide dedicated local legal support as Wayve prepares for robotaxi deployment in Tokyo and progresses its licence applications in Japan.
You will work closely with Wayve's Policy team and local operational teams, making a direct impact on how the company engages with Japanese regulators, manages operational legal risk, and supports partnerships in Japan.
Day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Providing practical, commercially minded regulatory advice to the Japan team, translating complex legal requirements into clear recommendations
- Leading local engagement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and other regulators, representing Wayve's position on regulatory and compliance matters
- Owning the legal aspects of incident reporting, assisting with police reports, and translating/interpreting Japanese-language documents
- Partnering with the Policy team on local relationship-building and providing on-the-ground legal support in Japan's time zone
- Advising on Japanese corporate and commercial matters alongside regulatory responsibilities
Key projects include supporting the regulatory pathway for robotaxi deployment in Tokyo (including licence applications), developing practical approaches to incident reporting and police engagement, helping the local team navigate Japanese regulatory requirements, and providing legal and regulatory support for the Nissan–Wayve and Wayve–Uber relationships.
Wayve operates a hybrid working model combining in-person collaboration in dedicated office spaces with focused remote work. The company's main hubs include London, Sunnyvale, Yokohama, Herzliya, Vancouver and Leonberg.
Requirements:
- Japan-qualified lawyer with approximately five years of relevant experience and strong regulatory background in a regulated sector (specialist autonomous vehicle experience not essential)
- Fluent in Japanese and English for legal and business communication; comfortable with Japanese business etiquette; able to interpret Japanese legal and operational documents accurately
- Ability to represent Wayve confidently in police, regulatory and partner discussions; communicate complex legal issues clearly to colleagues
- Sound commercial judgement; practical, business-oriented advice rather than purely legal explanations
- Strong legal analysis, drafting, communication and stakeholder management skills
- Proactive; comfortable working independently; able to prioritise multiple workstreams in fast-moving environment
- Enjoys partnering with cross-functional teams at the intersection of technology, regulation and commercial innovation
Desirable experience:
- In-house legal experience or law firm secondment into a business
- Corporate and commercial legal experience
- Experience in automotive/OEMs, mobility or regulated sectors (finance, technology, online safety)
- Familiarity with autonomous vehicle, AI or product safety regulatory frameworks
- Direct engagement with regulators, policymakers or industry bodies
