FinTech Legal
FinTech Guide 2025 : Japan
Band 1
About
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
- MHM’s strong cross-practice FinTech team leverages on its deep roots in technology and financial services regulatory law, as well as intellectual property in order to provide comprehensive, integrated and credible FinTech legal services to a wide array of incumbents, traditional players, disruptors, collaborators and fledgling start-ups.
- MHM has launched the MHM FinTech Platform initiative, where it leverages existing client base (i.e., traditional FIs and insurers as well as non-financial companies) and connects with MHM’s start-up team clients, to create new business, and achieve investments, not just help start-ups get licenses and create their financial business.
- MHM boasts multiple FinTech team members who have previously served in senior positions with regulatory and governmental agencies, including the Financial Services Agency of Japan and the Bank of Japan. This experience enables the firm to provide practical, actionable advice that is attuned to the regulatory perspective. Additionally, members of the firm take leadership positions in both industry and governmental bodies focused on the development of new industry standards and the shaping of emerging regulation.
- MHM is an active thought leader and contributor in the FinTech space. The firm also has recognised strengths in several FinTech-related practice areas and regularly appears in the media and has established a strong client base through its market-leading technology practice.
Chambers Review
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto handles financial regulatory work for startups and incumbent businesses. The team's work includes RegTech, InsurTech, digital banking, e-payment and cryptocurrency matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The level of service is first rate. No enquiry, email or call goes unanswered. I think their commercial awareness and insight are excellent."
"You can expect an answer that is comprehensive, detailed and tailored."
"Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has a large number of lawyers with deep knowledge, and they can solve all kinds of problems."
"The level of service is first rate. No enquiry, email or call goes unanswered. I think their commercial awareness and insight are excellent."
"You can expect an answer that is comprehensive, detailed and tailored."
"Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has a large number of lawyers with deep knowledge, and they can solve all kinds of problems."
Notable Practitioners
Masakazu Masujima advises clients on FinTech matters, with a particular emphasis on payment services, crowdfunding and InsurTech.
"Masakazu Masujima is very famous in Japan, including in the startup industry. He is a famous icon in this field."
"Masakazu Masujima has the experience and the capability to advise startup companies."
Takane Hori's work includes data protection and cybersecurity matters, as well as banking, cryptocurrency and payments mandates.
"Takane Hori is flexible and dependable when there are problems."
"Takane Hori is a very famous figure in this field, particularly in the payment industry."
Masafumi Masuda leads the IT practice at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto. He advises clients across a broad spectrum of blockchain, Web3 and cryptocurrency mandates, including those involving NFTs.
"Masafumi Masuda is a go-to person for insight and advice on complicated issues concerning blockchain and Web3."
"In addition to his deep knowledge of laws and regulations as a lawyer, his strength lies in the depth of his technical knowledge."
"Masafumi has a high level of knowledge of both business and legal matters."
Masayuki Ishibashi has particular expertise in advising on regulatory compliance concerning security token offerings. Ishibashi acts for an impressive list of financial institution clients.
"Masayuki Ishibashi has a very high level of knowledge in security tokens and finance."
"Masayuki Ishibashi is knowledgeable and gives good advice."
Ranked Individuals at
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Japan
Members
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Atsushi Okada
Daisuke Oda
Hiroshi Shirane
Masafumi Masuda
Ryosuke Onobori
Satoshi Okano
Shinichiro Yokota
Takanori Shinohara