Education
| 1997 | The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law(B.A.) |
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| 2005 | New York University, School of Law(LL.M.) |
Work Experience
| 1999 | Admitted to the bar in Japan. Joined Nishimura & Partners (now Nishimura & Asahi) |
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| 2005 – 2006 | Employed by Debevoise & Plimpton, New York |
| 2008 | Partner / Nishimura & Asahi |
| 2011 – 2012 | Member of Workshop on Construction Contract Management held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism |
| 2012 – | Lecturer / the Chuo Graduate School of Accounting, specifically the MBA Program in International Accounting & Finance |
| 2013 – | Attorney Director / Cedyna Servicer Co., Ltd. |
| 2014 – 2015 | Compliance Officer / Funds(Type2 FIE Operator, Investment Advisor, Investment Manager) |
| 2014 – | Legal Advisor / Japan Blockchain Association (Formername:Japan Authority of Digital Assets) |
| 2015 | Resigned / Nishimura & Asashi |
| 2015 | Founder / So Law Office |
| 2015 – | Corporate Auditor / Topaz Capital, Inc. |
| 2015 – | Director / bitFlyer, Inc. |
| 2016 – | Supervisory Director / Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corporation |
Professional Affiliations
| Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association (1999) |
| Securitization Forum of Japan Member of various committees (2005 – 2015) |
| Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE)(Currently, Engineering and Consulting Firms Associations, Japan(ECFA)) / Individual Supporting Member / Official Member (2011 – ) |
| JJapanese Conference on Overseas Development of Eco-Cities (J-CODE) Vietnam Working Group (2012 – 2015) |
| FinTech Association Japan Individual / Supporting Member (2015 – ) |
| Japan UAS Industrial Development Association(JUIDA) / Individual Member (2016 – ) |
| Japan Association of the Law of Finance / Member (2016 – ) |
| Tama University, The Center for Rule-making Strategies, “ICO (Initial Coin Offering) Business Research Group”(November 2017 – ) Web Page |
Publications
| June 2018 | Articles | Articles “Regulatory trends on virtual currency trading and/or ICO – by country/ region” “REGULATIONS” June 2018 vol.13 (2018 June 18 Issue) |
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| December 2017 | Articles | “Fundraising in the era of FinTech – Bank loans and VC remain to be the mainstream. For further development of ICO self-regulation is awaited” “REGULATIONS” December 2017 vol.11 (2017 December 11 Issue) |
| April 2017 | Articles | “Effects of Payment Services Act, as amended”, Nikkin Journal No.732 May 2017 issue |
| October 2016 | Articles | ”Virtual Currencies, Blockchain and their Financial Practices”, Financial Law Journal No.2051 (October 10th 2016 issue) |
| July 2015 | Articles | ”Answers to the Seven Most Frequently Asked Questions on Bitcoins”, Nikkin Journal No.708 (July 2015 issue) |
| June 2015 | Articles | ”Recent trends in regulation of cryptocurrencies in Japan and other countries”, Kinzai Weekly No.3123 (June 15th 2015 issue) |
| July 2014 | Books | Islamic business law and practice, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| March 2014 | Articles | ”Regulations under Existing Laws on Bitcoins”, Weekly Financial Affairs (March 31, 2014 edition) |
| February 2013 | Articles | Vietnamese Real Property Law for Vietnam’s Urban Development, Shin-Toshi Vol.67 No.2 (February 2013 edition) |
| October 2011 | Articles | Foreign national debt default and bond essentials, CDS, credit ratings and other legal complications, The Turnaround & Credit Management Quarterly No.134 (October 5th 2011 issue) |
| October 2011 | Articles | The opinions of large law firm attorneys regarding intermediate summary of issues of Civil Code (concerning credit) revision, Brief Summary of the opinions of Nishimura & Asahi Law Office Attorneys, NBL No.962 (October 1st 2011 issue) |
| June 2011 | Articles | Effects of the Basel 2.5 Accord on the Securitization Schemes, Kinzai Legal issue No.1924 (25th June 2011 issue) |
| June 2011 | Articles | Tax reforms for Japanese Sukuk, Islamic Finance news |
| May 2011 | Articles | Nuclear power operators’ damage compensation obligations, Business law July 2011 issue |
| May 2011 | Article | 2011 edition of Q&A regarding credit derivatives, Tokyo Financial Exchange J-CDS (Website), Japan Securities Clearing Corporation (JSCC)(Website) |
| May 2011 | Articles | The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Power Damage Compensation System, Kinzai Weekly No.2930 (May 16th 2011 issue) |
| February 2011 | Articles | Islamic Finance and the 2011 Tax Reform, Kinzai Weekly No. 2918 (February 14th 2011 issue) |
| September 2010 | Articles | Financial Regulation and Side Effects – Credit Rating Firms in Focus, (Nishimura & Asahi Legal Outlook Vol.10) Website Law and Finance Journal, Asahi Judiciary |
| July 2010 | Articles | ADR and CDS Business Revitalization – The Issue of Relevance to Credit Events and Acquiring Public Information, Kinzai Legal issue No.1902 (25th July 2010 issue) |
| June 2010 | Books | (New Practical Finance Introduction Series) Liquidization and securitization of assets and credit (2nd Edition), Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc . |
| March 2010 | Articles | Islamic Finance in Japan, Islamic Finance News Guide 2010 |
| July 2009 | Books | Latest Financial Regulation, Commercial Law |
| May 2009 | Articles | Effects of the Basel II Accord Revision on Securitization Exposure, Kinzai Weekly No.2835 (4th & 11th May 2009 joint issue) p.84-88 |
| March 2009 | Articles | CDS and the Counterparty Risk, Kinzai Weekly No.2829 (23rd March 2009 issue) p.60-61 |
| February 2009 | Articles | Q&A Regarding Credit Derivatives, Tokyo Financial Exchange J-CDS (Website) (co-author) |
| January 2009 | Articles | Operation Managed by Banking Groups after the Lifting of the Islamic Banking Embargo, Banking Law Journal 21 No.697 (January 2009 issue) |
| December 2008 | Articles | Bankruptcy of Securitized Products and Restructuring of Applicable Credit, Servicer Quarterly No.15 (December 25th 2008 issue) |
| November 2008 | Articles | Recent changes to the Japanese banking regulations on Islamic financeComplinet.com (Website) |
| June 2008 | Articles | Japanese Legal Issues Regarding the Entry of Domestic Financial Institutions into Islamic Financial System, Business Law August 2008 issue p.100-107 |
| March 2008 | Articles | Securities with Links to Insurances and Japanese Legal Considerations, Aioi Basic Research REVIEW 4th issue |
| March 2008 | Articles | Recent regulatory topics on Islamic finance in JapanAsian-Counsel |
| February 2008 | Articles | The Use of Trusts in Regards to Corporate and Company Law, Citizens and Law No.49 (February 2008 issue) p.24-33 |
| July 2007 | Articles | The Extent of Regulated Transactions as Clarified by Cabinet and Cabinet Office Directives, Japan Compliance Officer Association July 2007 issue |
| March 2007 | Articles | Asset Liquidization Law (SPC law) and Trust Finance and Commerce, Precedent No.1261 (March 2007 special issue) |
| December 2006 | Articles | The Legal System of Securitization and Liquidization, Regional Banking December 2006 issue |
| February 2006 | Books | The Complete Finance Law Update, Commerce Law |
| October 2003 | Books | The Complete Finance Law, Commerce Law last volume |
| August 2003 | Books | The Complete Finance Law, Commerce Law first volume |
| July 2002 | Articles | Practice of Securitization and Liquidization by Pertinent Asset, The Turnaround & Credit Management Quarterly Special Feature summer issue |
| July 2001 | Articles | Outline of the Securitization Scheme of Housing Loan Credit, The Turnaround & Credit Management Quarterly 93rd issue |
| 2001年 | Articles | Outline and Practical Consideration of Asset Liquidization Law, 2000 Investigation Report on Asset Liquidization and Investor Protection |
Seminars
| May 2018 |
Lecturer | Latest Trends Surrounding Virtual Currency and Its Legal System / JIPDEC [Handouts in Japanese] |
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| February 2018 | Lecturer | “ICO in Japan: Current Trend and Regulations” / Blockchain for Enterprise 2018 in Nagoya [Handouts in Japanese] |
| February 2018 | Lecturer & Panelist | “Virtual Currency Market in Japan” / PRC-Japan Virtual Currency Conference No.1 – [Handouts in Japanese] |
| December 2017 | Lecturer | “Bitcoin and its criminal use – criminal cases”/ National Police Agency, Cybercrime Division, Training Session |
| October 2017 | Lecturer | “ICO and Japanese Law”/Financial Facsimile News Seminar – [Handouts in Japanese] |
| October 2017 | Lecturer | “Legal Framework for ICO”/ICO Conference – [Handouts in Japanese] |
| September 2017 | Lecturer | “Bitcoin and its criminal use – criminal cases”/Gunma prefectural police headquarters |
| September 2017 | Lecturer | “Summary of Japanese laws applicable to ICO” / Japan Blockchain Association Meetup VOL.2 |
| August 2017 | Lecturer | Study Sessions “Bitcoin and related criminal cases”/National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan |
| April 2017 | Lecturer | Results of public comments: Virtual Currencies Act – [Handouts in Japanese] at Japan Blockchain Association Virtual Currencies Sector regular meeting |
| June 2017 | Lecturer | Legal issues of Blockchain technology which is of current interest as a new IT infrastructure／Financial Management Forums |
| January 2017 | Lecturer | Cabinet Order, Cabinet Office Ordinance and the Guidelines of the Virtual Currency Law／at Japan Blockchain Association Virtual Currencies Sector regular meeting [Handouts in Japanese] |
| November 2016 | Lecturer | Study Sessions of Investment Contract for Entrepreneurs “Funding, Investment Contract and Shareholders’ Agreement of Startups” / Fin Book Camp [Handouts in Japanese] |
| October 2016 | Commentator | “Comments on New Virtual Currency Regulation and Treatment of Bitcoin in Bankruptcy Proceedings” [Handouts in Japanese] |
| September 2016 | Lecturer | Latest Trends Surrounding Virtual Currency and Its Legal System / JIPDEC [Handouts in Japanese] |
| August 2016 | Lecturer | Current Situation, Specific Cases and Legal Issues of FinTech and Blockchain Businesses / Seminar-info [Handouts in Japanese] |
| July 2016 | Lecturer | Current situation and Legal issues of FinTech Businesses／Nagano Employers’ Association [Handouts in Japanese] |
| June 2016 | Lecturer | Legal issues of Blockchain technology which is of current interest as a new IT infrastructure／Financial Management Forums |
| June 2016 | Lecturer | Current situation and future regulation of virtual currency／Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry |
| June 2016 | Lecturer | Bitcoin, Blockchain and Japanese Law／The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants |
| May 2016 | Lecturer | New regulation of virtual currency in Japan／Monthly Party With Mrs And Miss Bitcoin [Handouts in Japanese] |
| April 2016 | Lecturer | New regulation of virtual currency in Japan／Japan Authority of Digital Assets Workshop [Handouts in Japanese] |
| March 2016 | Lecturer | Legal issues of Blockchain technology which is of current interest as a new IT infrastructure／Financial Management Forums [Handouts in Japanese] |
| March 2016 | Lecturer | Current situation and legal issues of FinTech and Blockchain businesses／Tokyo Risk Manager Association Seminar [Handouts in Japanese] |
| January 2016 | Lecturer | Prospective expansion of Drone business and legislative issues in Japan／Financial Facsimile News Seminar |
| January 2016 | Lecturer | Current situation and legal issues of FinTech business／Financial Management Forums |
| July 2015 | Panelist | Legislation and Infrastructure in Need of Fintech Reform – Trends and Prospects Surrounding Virtual Currency / GMS Forum 2015 |
| July 2015 | Lecturer Panelist |
Current State of Digital Currency Regulation in Japan, Regulation Panel／The New Context Conference 2015 Tokyo |
| February 2015 | Panelist | The Rise of Bitcoin / Rakuten Financial Conference 2015 |
| January 2015 | Panelist | Inside Bitcoins Singapore |
| September 2014 | Lecturer | Bitcoin Regulation and Activities of the Japan Authority of Digital Assets／Bitcoin Center NYC |
| June 2014 | Lecturer | Bitcoin business and the Japanese law / Financial Facsimile News Seminar |
| April 2014 | Lecturer | Overview of Bitcoins and Handling under the Japanese Law / Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Seminar |
| February 2014 | Lecturer | Outline of Bitcoins and Position under Japanese Law |
| March 2013 | Lecturer | Practical Operation of Contract Management and Disputes for “New Managers” in Overseas Construction Businesses |
| December 2012 | Lecturer | Vietnamese Law, Vietnamese Real Property Law and Urban Development Law for Vietnam’s Urban Development |
| October 2012 | Lecturer | Capital Procurement (Contingent Capital) under Basel III |
| May 2012 | Lecturer | Case Examples of Losses Suffered / Overseas Construction Projects Contract Management for “New Managers” in Overseas Construction Projects |
| March 2012 | Lecturer | Legal Issues relating to the Default of Sovereign Debt |
| October 2011 | Lecturer | Case Examples of Failures and Disputes of Overseas Construction seen in Publically Announced Materials and Future Risk Management |
| September 2011 | Lecturer | Methods of Capital Procurement under Basel III |
| July 2011 | Lecturer | Legal Issues and Future Corporate Responses relating to Reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake |
| January 2011 | Lecturer | Various Issues of CDS Practice and Credit Event Assessments |
| December 2010 | Panelist | Japan and the Islamic financial markets |
| November 2009 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and the Japanese Legal System |
| September 2009 | Lecturer | Investments in Securitization / Bundled Products and Risk Management / Dispute Responses |
| April 2009 | Lecturer | Financial Strategies Moving One Step Forward |
| April 2009 | Lecturer | Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy (ICS) Endowed Class “Pratical Aspects of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act” |
| February 2009 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and Japanese Legal System |
| February 2009 | Panelist | The financial crisis and practical remedies to the financial and economic situation in local areas |
| January 2009 | Lecturer | The Emissions Trading System and Legal Points of Note as seen from the Perspective of Finance |
| November 2008 | Lecturer | Issues under Japanese Law accompanying the Issuance, Composition and Investments of Sukuk |
| November 2008 | Lecturer | The Collapse of Originator / Securitized Products and Opportunities for Servicers’ Activities |
| October 2008 | Lecturer | Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy (ICS) Endowed Class “Practical Aspects of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act” |
| October 2008 | Lecturer | Status of the Development of the Legal Infrastructure for Emissions Trading and Future Outlook |
| September 2008 | Lecturer | Self-Procured Capital through Tier 1 Preferred Securities / Tier 2 Subordinated Bonds and BIS Regulations |
| July 2008 | Lecturer | Self-Procured Capital through Tier 1 Preferred Securities / Tier 2 Subordinated Bonds and BIS Regulations |
| June 2008 | Lecturer | Legal Issues of CDO, Synthetic CDO and Dealing with the Subprime Problem |
| June 2008 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and Project Financing |
| May 2008 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and Issues under Japanese Law |
| March 2008 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and Points to Consider under Japanese Law |
| December 2007 | Lecturer | Islamic Finance and Considerations under Japanese Law |
| December 2007 | Lecturer | Legal Considerations on Risk Management Financial Products such as Cat Bonds and Life Insurance Risk Securities |
| December 2007 | Lecturer | Legal Issues relating to CDO, Synthetic CDO |
| September 2007 | Lecturer | Issues on Japanese Law relating to Cat Bonds and Life Insurance Risk Securities |
| April 2007 | Lecturer | Handling of Insurance Linked Securities under Basel II |
| February 2004 | Lecturer | Legal Issues of Balance Sheet Type Synthetic CDO’s |
| February 2004 | Lecturer | New Trends in Securitization Schemes |
| July 2003 | Lecturer | Legal Issues relating to CDO, CLO and Synthetic CDO |
| May 2003 | Lecturer | Sorting Out Legal Issues relating to CDO, CLO and Synthetic CDO |
Media Appearances
| May 2018 | Magazine / Comments | Nikkei Business No.1940, May 7, 2018 |
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| May 2018 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, May 5, 2018 Page 26 |
| March 2018 | Magazine / Comments | Weekly Toyo Keizai No.6781, March 17, 2018 |
| February 2018 | Magazine / Comments | Sunday Mainichi dated February 13, 2018, The February 25, 2018 Issue |
| February 2018 | Newspaper / Interview |
Yomiuri, February 6, 2018 Page 7 |
| December 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, December 10, 2017 Page 2 |
| November 2017 | Internet / Comments | Toyo Keizai On-line, November 4, 2017 |
| October 2017 | Magazine / Comments | Weekly Toyo Keizai No.6758, November 4, 2017 |
| September 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei Sangyo Shinbun（Nikkei Industrial Journal）, September 20, 2017 |
| September 2017 | Magazine / Comments | AERA No.40, September 18, 2017 |
| September 2017 | Magazine / Comments | Nikkei Business No.1907, September 11, 2017 |
| August 2017 | Magazine / Comments | Nikkei Business No.1905, August 28, 2017 |
| August 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Sankei, August 18, 2017 |
| August 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei Online, August 18, 2017 |
| August 2017 | Internet / Comments | Asialaw Profiles, August 15, 2017 |
| August 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, August 4, 2017 Page 7 |
| July 2017 | Internet / Comments | Reuters News, July 21, 2017 |
| July 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, July 17, 2017 Page 11 |
| June 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei Online, June 27, 2017 |
| January 2017 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun（Nikkei Industrial Journal）, January 6, 2017 Page 2 |
| February 2016 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, February 17, 2016 Page 3 |
| January 2016 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, January 25, 2016 Page 15 |
| December 2015 | Newspaper / Comments | Nikkei, December 7, 2015 Page 15 |
| May 2014 | Television / Comments | “World Business Satellite” TV Tokyo aired on May 12, 2014 |
| February 2014 | Newspaper / Comments | The Wall Street Journal, February 18, 2014 Pages 15 and 23 |
| April 2011 | Internet / Comments | Reuters News UK Electronic Version April 4, 2011 |
