In the context of the deepening development of globalization and digitalization, with the gradual integration of generative artificial intelligence into business activities of all walks of life, data application and risk governance have become important issues that cannot be ignored in the industry. In order to promote in-depth cooperation between the two countries in this field, the 6th China-Japan Corporate Legal Forum was grandly held in Tokyo, Japan on November 19, 2024. The forum was jointly organized by Center for Japanese Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (“the Center”) and the Japan Business Law Association, co-organized by KoGuan School of Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Institute for Socio-Legal Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Japan Institute of Business Law, and Japan International Institute of Civil and Commercial Law, and was strongly supported by  King & Wood Mallesons Shanghai Branch. With the theme of " Data Governance and Corporate Legal Affairs ", the forum brought together more than 200 scholars and practitioners from the fields of law and technology in China and Japan to conduct in-depth discussions on topics such as "The Utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Risks", "The Evolution and Technology of Legal Business", and "The Front Line of Personal Information Protection" , to explore current hot topics and jointly seek new paths for cooperative development. Among them, the Chinese participants in the forum included members of the 2024 Shanghai Jiao Tong University New Era China-Japan Friendship Delegation, as well as more than 50 representatives from well-known corporate legal departments and well-known law firms.

The forum was addressed by Yuichi Takano, Executive Committee Member and General Counsel of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and General Secretary of Japan Business Law Association, Ji Weidong, University Professor of Humanity and Social Sciences and Director of the Center, and Chairman of the Association for Computational LawChina Computer Federation (CCF), and Yoichiro Mizuishi, Director of Affairs Bureau of Japan Business Law Association. Masayuki Matsuyama, Director of Legal Department of AGC Inc., and Takehisa Sasaki, Director of Legal Department of NISSHA Co., Ltd., jointly hosted the roundtable discussion of the forum.

Yuichi Takano delivered a speech on behalf of the Japanese organizers. He believed that in the face of the global AI wave, especially in the context of the rapid development of ChatGPT, countries have shown significant differences in regulatory measures in the coexistence of soft and hard laws.. He called on companies to seek a balance between promoting data development and ensuring data security in response to this complex environment, based on the legal and regulatory methods and content of various countries. They should leverage data to enhance the efficiency of business operations while remaining vigilant about potential risks.

Ji Weidong delivered an opening speech on behalf of the Chinese organizers. He emphasized that how to achieve a balance between the dual needs of security and development, and how to construct a reasonable mechanism design in the choice between hard law and soft law, were the topics that would be discussed in depth at this forum. He hoped that Chinese and Japanese companies could learn from each other in digital transformation, complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, jointly explore new blue ocean markets for technology, and strengthen cooperation in the application of legal technology.

Focusing on "The Use of Generative AI and Corporate Risks ", Mai,Kasuga Executive Committee Member and General Counsel of LegalOn Technologies Inc., Zhang Wang, Vice President of SenseTime Group Inc. and Chairman of the AI Ethics and Governance Committee,  and Zhao Xiaohai, Founder and CEO of Chinalawinfo Co., Ltd., conducted in-depth discussions through keynote speeches and roundtable discussions. The roundtable discussion was hosted by Masayuki Matsuyama, with guest speakers engaging in in-depth dialogues based on their respective industry fields.

Regarding the topic of "Evolution and Technology of Legal Affairs", Hiroyuki Nehashi, Executive Legal Counsel of Panasonic Holdings Corporation, and Tan Jun, a senior legal expert of well-known Chinese Internet companies, delivered keynote speeches. The roundtable discussion was moderated by Takeshisa Sasaki. Hiroyuki Nehashi, Tan Tan and Zhao Xiaohai had an in-depth discussions and exchanges on the application and risks of technical tools in corporate legal affairs.

Focusing on the "The Frontline of Personal Information Protection", Yasutaka Tsujihata, Japan privacy office senior manager of Rakuten Group, Inc., and Ye Xiaozhong, President of Beijing Senior Risk Management Technology Co., Ltd. and Editor-in-chief of "Chinese Enterprise Legal Observation", delivered keynote speeches. The roundtable discussion was hosted by Takehisa Sasaki, and Yasushi Tsujihata, Ye Xiaozhong and Chen Qingdong, Deputy Director and partner of King & Wood Mallesons Shanghai Branch, had an in-depth discussion.

In his closing speech, Yoichiro Mizuishi introduced the development history of  Japan Business Law Association, and the China-Japan Corporate Legal Forum. He proposed that in the context of the rapidly advancing legal technology, legal personnel need to constantly keep up with the times to cope with new challenges and opportunities. At the same time, he expressed his sincere gratitude to the speakers for their wonderful sharing and to all the guests for their attendance. The forum ended successfully in a pleasant atmosphere.

The successful convening of the 6th China-Japan Corporate Legal Forum signified that cooperation between the academic and practical communities of the two countries on the topic of "Data Governance and Corporate Legal Affairs" had entered a new phase. In this forum, guest speakers discussed in depth the application prospects of generative artificial intelligence , technological innovations in corporate legal services, and cutting-edge issues in personal information protection with an open attitude and multidimensional perspective. The successful hosting of the forum not only showcased the latest advancements in the legal field of Chinese and Japanese enterprises but also laid the groundwork for deep cooperation between the two nations in the areas of legal technology and data governance. Looking ahead to the future, as digital transformation continued to advance, the exchange and collaboration between China and Japan in legal practice and policy innovation would be bound to be further strengthened, and they would jointly address the opportunities and challenges in the context of globalization.

After the meeting, the representative of Japan Business Law Association presented a commemorative medal to Ji Weidong, University Professor of Humanity and Social Sciences and Director of the Center, to thank him for his efforts and contributions to the China-Japan Corporate Legal Forum and the exchange of corporate legal affairs between China and Japan.