Description
We build the embodied intelligence that moves real vehicles safely, and the ecosystem a billion machines will run on in the future. Very few people in AI can say this. Every role here, whatever the team, plugs into that.
As our Regulatory Counsel in Japan, you’ll provide dedicated local legal support as we prepare for robotaxi deployment in Tokyo and progress our licence applications. You’ll work closely with our Policy and local operational teams.
Your day-to-day:
- Provide practical, commercially minded regulatory advice to our Japan team, translating complex legal requirements into clear recommendations.
- Lead local engagement with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and other regulators, representing Wayve’s position on regulatory and compliance matters.
- Own the legal aspects of incident reporting, assist with police reports, and translate and interpret Japanese-language documents and outputs.
- Partner with our Policy team on local relationship-building and provide on-the-ground legal support in Japan’s time zone.
- Advise on Japanese corporate and commercial matters as needed, alongside your regulatory responsibilities.
What you’ll be working on:
- Supporting the regulatory pathway for Wayve’s robotaxi deployment in Tokyo, including our licence applications in Japan.
- Developing clear, practical approaches to incident reporting and police engagement that support responsible deployment and protect Wayve’s legal position.
- Helping the local team understand and navigate Japanese regulatory requirements and ways of working.
- Providing Japanese legal and regulatory support for the Nissan–Wayve and Wayve–Uber relationships, including local liaison where needed.
You should apply if:
- You’re a Japan-qualified lawyer with around five years of relevant experience and a strong regulatory background in a regulated sector.
- You’re fluent in Japanese and English for legal and business communication, comfortable with Japanese business etiquette, and able to interpret Japanese legal and operational documents accurately.
- You can represent Wayve confidently in police, regulatory and partner discussions, and communicate complex legal issues clearly to colleagues across the business.
- You bring sound commercial judgement and offer practical, business-oriented advice rather than simply explaining the law.
- You have strong legal analysis, drafting, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- You’re proactive, comfortable working independently and able to prioritise multiple workstreams in a fast-moving environment.
- You enjoy partnering with cross-functional teams at the intersection of technology, regulation and commercial innovation.
Benefits:
- Salaries benchmarked against the market annually
- Meaningful equity, sharing in the ownership and long term success of Wayve
- Relocation support and visa sponsorship where applicable
- Hybrid working, core hours and the chance to work hands on in vehicle workshops and labs
- Learning and development budgets with support for training, conferences and growth
- Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, retirement or pension where applicable, access to therapists, wellbeing partnerships, team socials and more