East Asia - Japan

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

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Praised for its ‘longstanding strong connections’ with Japanese regulatory authorities, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto assists domestic and international clients with issues such as the implementation of payment services, the building and operation of exchange platforms for crypto products and regulatory assistance for crowdfunding services. The team also wins plaudits for its handling of digital transformation mandates for financial institutions and financial services intermediation work. Co-head of the practice Masakazu Masujima, a council member of numerous Japanese Government policy committees, is a key contact for mandates involving money transmissions and crypto-assets. Fellow co-head Takane Hori centres her practice on IT and regulated transactions. Atsushi Okada completes the leadership team. Masayuki Ishibashi is embedded in work relating to security token offerings, while Masafumi Masuda is an expert on NFTs. Katsuya Terai is another name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Law Firm has a reputation and credibility as one of Japan's top firms. This is difficult to achieve without longstanding strong connections with the authorities, but on this point, we can trust this firm.’

  • ‘Our company has engaged Masafumi Masuda as our legal adviser. Even in the unique and innovative field of blockchain games, he offers extremely logical and appropriate perspectives, taking into consideration the background of the business.’

  • ‘I have engaged the firm for over ten years. The firm has been consistently very competent and diligent in the assistance they provide. The firm's client service, commercial awareness and value for money is very good.’

  • ‘I have been working closely with Mr. Masafumi Masuda, a partner at the firm. Mr. Masuda possess the ability to deal with very complex legal issues especially in the computer mobile application, blockchain, and fintech space with excellent problem solving skills, good drafting and well-honed legal technical skills.'

Key clients

  • Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Inc.
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited
  • GMO Internet, Inc.
  • NIUM
  • Coincheck
  • JustInCase, Inc.
  • Tencent
  • Kanmu
  • TIS Inc.
  • MEDIA DO Co., Ltd.
  • SBI SECURITIES Co. Ltd
  • Futu Holdings Limited
  • Seven Bank
  • Tosei Asset Advisors, Inc.
  • Culture Convenience Club Company
  • CCC MK HOLDINGS Co., Ltd
  • Kort Valuta
  • Bitbank
  • ANGO
  • bajji, Inc.
  • double jump.tokyo Inc.
  • Sony Bank Incorporated
  • JCB Co., Ltd.
  • Accenture Japan Ltd

Work highlights

  • Assisted Seven Bank with its intergroup reorganisation whereby Seven Card Service (the operator of the nanaco e-money service and a credit card business) was transferred to Seven Bank, Ltd.
  • Assisted Tosei Asset Advisors, Inc. as it utilised the GK-TK scheme to securitise real estate.
  • Assisted Culture Convenience Club Company & CCC MK HOLDINGS in respect to a capital and business alliance with the SMBC Group that resulted in a new points brand.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners: Bengoshi

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Masakazu Masujima, Takane Hori, Atsushi Okada

Other key lawyers

Masayuki Ishibashi, Masafumi Masuda, Katsuya Terai