Professionals
Partner
Senior Counsel
Adviser
Associate
Partner
Yogo Kimura
With wide-range of experiences and accomplishments, the long-standing field of expertise in corporate law and international finance law.
Publications
⎾Lawyers in the midst of Reformation⏌ -Lawyers and Internationalization
(co-authored) (Yuhikaku)
“How to Start and Grow a Hedge Fund in Asia”” (co-authored) (ISI Publications)
Admission
1977 Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・1970 Graduation from the University of Tokyo(LL.B.)
・1975 - 1977 Diploma from The Legal Research and Training Institute
・1986 Graduation from the Law School of University of Michigan (MCL)
Professional Career
・ Apr 1977 - Mar 1982 Tsuguo Imamura Law Office
・ Apr 1982 - Mar 2008 The law firm of Hamada & Matsumoto (presently: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
・ Aug 1985 - 1986 Stagiaire at the law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (New York)
・ Apr 2008 - Jun 2017 SPARX Group Co., Ltd. and SPARX Asset Management Co., Ltd. (General Counsel)
・ Apr 2012 - Jun 2017 Hibiya Minami Law Office
・ Jun 2017 - present Koma Glocal Law Office
Masato Yamanaka
Mr. Yamanaka's practice focuses on finance law and corporate law related matters, including regulation of financial institutions and general corporations, securitization and liquidation, collective investment schemes, as well as disclosure in primary and secondary securities markets, and derivative transactions. His practice also covers a number of litigation related to financial products.
Publications, presentations and articles
I. Securities Regulation, Securities Litigation
・“Defence Strategy against US Class Action: Securities Class Action(1)(2)” Business Law Journal, Jan & Feb 2018
・“Need for Self-Regulatory and Aggressive Securities Market Regulations” The Japan Business Law, May 2006
・“Financing Scheme (Moving Strike Convertible Bond) Used by Livedoor and Lehman Brothers,” The Japan Business Law, May 2005
・Co-author, “Case Study of Ministerial Ordinance concerning Securities Companies: An Examination of Cases where Sanctions were Imposed by the Financial Services
Agency Regarding EB Bond/Provision of Special Benefit,” Commercial Law Review, March 2003
II. Trust, Investment Trust, Investment Advisory Business, Fiduciary Duty
・“Legal and Practical Issues of Life Insurance Trust” Shintaku Forum vol.5, March 2016
・“Points to Note for Sale of Inventment Trust – How to Act If a Distributing Company (Hanbai Kaisha) Finds an Inadequate Prospectus- Analysis Based on Tokyo High
Court Decision Regarding Investment Trust with Monthly Dividend dated Janurary 26, 2015” Ginko Homu21 No. 788, July 2015
・“Consideration on Accountability of Investment Trust Management Companies – Based on Tokyo District Court Evaluation Regarding Monthly Dividend Type
Investment Trust dated March 11, 2014” Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 2006, November 2014
・“Fiduciary Duty of Asset Management Companies under Japanese Law,” Jurist, December 2003
・Co-author, “Investment Trust with Only One Beneficiary and Investment Trust Investing in Only One Investment (Volume I and Volume II),” Kinyu Homu Jijo Nos.
1671 and 1672, April 2003
・Co-author, “Theoretical Inquiries on Duty of Explanation with respect to MMF and other Investment Trusts,” Kinyu Homu JijoNo. 1642, May 2002
・“Loss of Principal of MMF (Money Market Fund) and Accounting for Investors: Accountability of Investment Trust Management Companies and Distribution
Companies,” Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 1630, December 2001
・“Inquiries on Various Concepts about Investment Trust,” Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 1575, April 2000
III. Derivatives
・“Soccer Lottery (“TOTO”) and New Types of Derivatives,” Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 1609, April 2001
・Co-author, “Derivatives Transactions under Financial System Reform Laws (1) – (4),” Kinyu Homu Jijo Nos. 1539 -1543, February – April 1999
IV. Corporate Law
・“Legal Issues on Protection against Hostile Takeovers (Volumes I and II),” The Japan Business Law, November and December 2005
・“Unification of Kabushiki Kaisha and Yugen Kaisha: Goudou Kaisha and LLP,” Zeimu Koho, February 2005
・All about the New Corporate Law Code: Q&A, Chuokeizai-sha, Inc., 2005
V. Securitization
・“Fundamental Concepts of Investment Management Business in Financial Instruments and Exchange Act – Real Estate Fund of Securitization Type-” Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 1825, February 2008
・“New Company Law and SPCs in Securitization,” Kinyu-Homu-Jijo No. 1767, April 2006
・“Effect brought onto the Practice of Securitization and Business Reorganization by New Laws in Japan,” New Business Law, December 2004
VI. Personal Information Protection Law
・“Personal Information Protection Law: How to Address Issues Related to Delegates,” The Japan Business Law, February 2005
VII. Bankruptcy Law
・Co-author, All about the New Bankruptcy Law Promulgated on June 2, 2004, Chuokeizai-sha, Inc., 2004
VIII. Others
・“Federal and State Law Systems in USC concerning Management of Lease and Rental Housing,” The Japanese Journal of Real Estate Sciences No. 93, September 2010
・“Responsibility of Rookie Lawyer Causing Losses by Giving Bad Advice to a Client,” The Japan Business Law, January 2004
・“Rights and Obligations Represented by the Bill of Landing,” Keiri-joho, October 2003
・“Practice for the Right to Complete Blank Checks,” Keiri-joho, March 2003
Presentations
Masato Yamanaka holds many lectures and seminars about securities regulations, investment trusts, private funds, trust beneficial interests, derivatives, FX margin transations etc.
Admission
・1998 Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association
・2011 New York State, USA
・2016 Certified Trust Practitioner (Japan)
・2017 Washington D.C., USA
Education
・1996 Graduation from Waseda University (LL.B.)
・2009 Graduation from University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.M.)
Professional Career
・Apr 1998 - Sep 2002 Mitsui, Yasuda, Wani & Maeda
・Oct 2002 - May 2007 Asahi & Koma Law office
・May 2007 - Dec 2017 Baker & McKenzie (Partner)
・Jan 2018 - present Koma Glocal Law Office (Partner)
-Secondment
・Sep 2009 - Dec 2009 Baker McKenzie New York Office
・Jan 2010 - Mar 2010 Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (Legal Department)
・Apr 2010 - Dec 2011 Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, New York Branch (Specialized Finance Department)
-Others
・Ippan Shadan Hojin Civil Trust Promotion Center (Former Inspector)
・Japan Israel Chamber of Commerce (Auditor)
・Japan Curling Association (Legal Counsel, Compliance Committee Member)
・Japan Balloon Federation (Legal Counsel)
・Bambitious Nana (Basketball) (Legal Counsel)
・VC Nagano Create Sports(Volleyball) (Statutory Auditor)
・Aomori Watts (Basketball) (Statutory Auditor)
・Tokyo Summary Court (Mediator)
・External Director of Japanese Type II Financial Instruments Business Operator
・Passed the Palau Law Essay Exam at Palau Bar Exam in 2015 (but failed to pass MPT exam)
Kyoko Nagano
Kyoko Nagano possesses extensive expertise in securities regulations, particularly in representing global investment managers in connection with investment funds. Her practice areas include cross-border real estate investments, capital raising activities through securities markets, engagement of listed companies in Japan by foreign investors, and corporate governance matters, including environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues. She is fluent in both Japanese and English.
Publications, presentations and articles
・"100 Q&As on the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan, With a Focus on Collective Investment Schemes" (Co-Author) - Chuo Keizai, 2009
Presentations
・10/19/2017 - 2017 Navigating Private Placement Regimes Around the World Singapore, AIMA
・10/17/2017 - 2017 Navigating Private Placement Regimes Around the World 9
・11/09/2021 - AIMA APAC Webinar: Short Sale Reporting and Japan’s Regulation M, Hong Kong, AIMA
Admission
・Japan, Tokyo Bar Association (2000-2002)
・Japan, Daini Tokyo Bar Association (2004 -)
・New York (2010 -)
Education
・University of Tokyo, 1998, LL.B.
・University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Law and Politics, 2004, M.L.
・Columbia Law School, 2009, LL.M.
Professional Career
・2000 - 2002: Yuuki Law Office
・2004 - 2010: TMI Associates
・2011 - 2014: Nikko Cordial Securities (currently SMBC Nikko Securities)
・2014 - 2021: TMI Associates, Partner
・2021 - October 2023: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Law Office
・November 2023 - Present: Koma Glocal Law Office, Partner
Others
・Lecturer at Chiba University Law School, teaching Civil Procedure (2007-2008)
・Internal Administration Supervisor of Japan Securities Dealers Association
Sosei Yamasaki
Sosei Yamasaki focuses on corporate legal matters, including corporate governance, cross-border transaction, M&A, joint venture, strategic investment, project development, and antitrust issues.
He regularly represents individual and corporate clients in complex commercial litigations, including acquisition-related matter, investment dispute, construction, real estate transaction.
Publications, presentations and articles
Publications, presentations and articles
“Latest practical manual for Directors” (Co-author,Shin Nippon Hoki, 2014)
“Legal Consultation about NPO” (Co-author,Eiji-Publishing, 2016)
“Need-to-know - Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations” (Co-author, Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)
“Stock Purchase Model Contract Report of the American Bar Association” (Kokusai Shouji Houmu)
“Charity Global Guide〜Japan Chapter〜”(Thomson Reuters, Practical Law).
Presentations
Lectures
Seminars on the following themes conducted for client corporations (themes include: contracts in English; amendment of the Creditor Law; personal information; IT affiliated disputes; competition law compliance)
Admission
2009 Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・Mar 2003 Graduation from Keio University (B.A., Law)
・Mar 2008 Graduation from Keio University Law School (LL.M)
・Dec 2009 Obtains diploma from the Legal Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Law Clerk)
Professional Career
・2010 - 2013 Nagase & Co., Ltd (In-house Legal Counsel)
・2013 - 2019 Higuchi & Partners, LPC
・2019 Koma Glocal Law Office (formerly, Koma & Ono Glocal Law Office)
Senior Counsel
Reiichi Miyazaki
In addition to eight and a half years of experience as a distinct prosecutor, involvement with the legal interpretation of criminal law and legislation with the Ministry of Justice for over eight years has led to a status in the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, for the following 22 years, to screen the legislative proposals of the respective ministries and present legal opinions pertaining to all aspects of legislation to the governing Cabinet.
Publications, presentations and articles
“Simplifying Legislation” co-author, Shinzansha, 1997.
Written the segment “Simplifying Laws and Ordinances from the Legislation Standpoint”
Admission
2016 Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・1968 Graduation from the University of Tokyo(LL.B.)
Professional Career
・1970 - 1984 As a public prosecutor for the district courts in Tokyo, Okayama and Sapporo. During this period, served as public prosecutor for the Ministry of Justice Correction Bureau (engaged in revising the Prison Law, etc.)
・1984 - 1986 Counsellor for the Criminal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Justice
(in charge of the revision of the Juvenile Law and effectuating countermeasures for drug related crime, etc.) During this period, was sent to France for approximately six months on a field study to survey contingent assistance in international criminal investigations.
Engaged in “Problems and Countermeasures for Resolving International Crime Investigations” of Legal Affairs Research
・1987 - 1993 Counselor of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau (Second Department)
・1993 - 1996 Executive-Secretary of Administrative Office of the Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau
・1996 - 2002 Director-General of the Second Division of the Bureau
・2002 - 2004 Director-General of the First Division of the Bureau
・2004 - 2006 Deputy Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau
・2006 - 2010 Director-General of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau
・2010 - 2016 Professor of Hosei Law School
・Jan 2018 - present Koma Glocal Law Office (formerly, Koma & Ono Glocal Law Office)
Yasushi Murofushi
For nearly 40 years, Yasushi Murofushi has been practicing law as both outside and in-house counsel, focusing mainly on legal and compliance matters related to international finance. Recently, he has been providing consulting services in order to enhance the governance functions of corporates and the other organizations, mainly with regard to the legal and compliance departments, utilizing his extensive experience of in-house counsel.
Publications, presentations and articles
・“Execution of Legal Operations Special Edition – Enhancement of Legal Functions and Legal Operations”(Shoujihoumu potaru 2022)
・ “Up to Today and From Tomorrow – Explosive Expansion of JILA and What’s Ahead”
(20 Years of Japan In-house Lawyers Association 2021)
・Whalley=Guzelian “Legal Risk Management Handbook”(Translation and addition 2021)
・“The Present State and Challenges of an In-house Lawyer” (NIBEN Frontier 2016)
・“The Present State and Challenges of an In-house Lawyer in Japan”(Hougaku Kyoushitsu 2015)
・“Towards Enhancement of the Usage of In-house Counsel in Regional Financial Institutions”(Ginko-houmu21 2013)
・“10 Years After – In-house Lawyers: Up to Today and from Tomorrow”(Jiyuu To Seigi 2011)
・“Who are the Clients of In-house Counsel?”(In-house Counsel 2009)
・“What Do Financial Institutions Look for in Outside Counsel?”(Kinyuu Houmu Jijyo 2008)
Presentations
・“Current Legal Functions of Japanese Financial Institutions and the Challenges” (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Finance and Compliance Human Resource Development Course 2022)
・“How Can the Modern Day GC Maximize the Value of Legal Operations” (ALB In-House Legal Summit 2022)
・“Strategies for Strengthening Legal Functions to Enhance Corporate Value- How to Deal With ‘Do More With Less’ - ”(JBPress 2022)
・“The Role of the Legal Functions in Enhancing Corporate Value and the Challenges for the Japanese Companies - Legal Risk Management Lead by GC/CLO” (Japan Association for Chief Legal Officers 2022)
・“The Present State and Challenges of Legal Risk Management with the Japanese Companies - Make the Legal Department the Most Powerful ‘Weapon’ in Business!”(Legal & Risk Management Institute 2022)
・“In-House Lawyer Careers and Corporate Legal Affairs in Japan” (Japan Federation of Bar Associations 2021)
・“Meeting the Needs of Today’s General Counsel: Do’s and Don’ts for Outside Counsel” (International Bar Association Law Firm Management Conference 2016)
・“The Role of the General Counsel in Global Corporations and the Use of In-House Counsel in Japan」(The Corporate Governance Network of Japan 2015)
Admission
・1985 Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association
・2023 - Chief Research Fellow, Japan Association for Chief Legal Officers
Education
・1981 University of Tokyo LL.B.
・1988 Cornell Law School LL.M.
Professional Career
・1985 - 1993 Hamada & Matsumoto(currently Mori, Hamada & Matsumoto)
・1988 - 1989 Sullivan and Cromwell, New York
・1993 - 1997 Adachi, Henderson, Miyatake & Fujita
・1997 - 2000 Tokyo Aoyama Law Office (currently Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise))
・2000 - 2017 Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Limited and Credit Suisse Tokyo Branch (Managing Director, Head of Legal and Compliance)
・2017 - 2020 Koma Ono Glocal Law Office
・2020 - 2023 EY Law Co.
・2024 - Koma Glocal Law Office
Others
・President, Japan In-House Lawyers Association (JILA) (2012〜2018)
・Member of Securities Sector Committee, International Bankers Association(IBA)(2001〜2016)
・Lecturer, Tsuda University, Department of Policy Studies (2018〜2022)
Adviser
Toshihiko Seki
Mr. Seki has professional knowledge on commercial law and companies law.
Publications, presentations and articles
・Theory for Evaluation of Stocks(Shoji Homu Kenkyu Kai, 1983)【sole author】
・Corporate Law(2nd Edition of Complete Revision)(Shoji Homu Kenkyu Kai, 2009)【sole author】
・General Rules of Commercial Law (2nd Edition)(Yuhikaku,2007)【sole author】
・Laws on Financial Bills and Checks (New Edition)(Shoji Homu Kenkyu Kai, 2004)【sole author】
Admission
2004 Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・Mar 1965 University of Tokyo (LL.B.)
・Mar 1976 University of Tokyo (J.D.)
・1980 Univercité de Paris Panthéon Sorbonne (foreign student sponsored by French government)
・1987 Harvard Law School, Visiting Scholar
Professional Career
・January 2019 - Koma Glocal Law Office (formerly, Koma & Ono Glocal Law Office)
Associate
Yuhei Shimizu
He has experiences in the practice of corporate law, finance, civil cases in general, medical corporation M&A, etc.
Language proficiency
Japanese, English
Admission
2024 Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・ 2019 Graduation from University of Tokyo (Bachelor of Economics)
・ 2022 Graduation from University of Tokyo School of Law (J.D.)
・ 2022 Passed the bar examination
・ 2023 Diploma from the Institute of Legal Research and Training of the Supreme Court of Japan
Professional Career
・ 2024 Koma Glocal Law Office