Kataoka & Kobayashi

Managing Partner: Masamichi Oshima

Number of partners: 21

Number of associates: 25

Languages: English, Japanese

Kataoka & Kobayashi is a highly regarded Tokyo-based law firm built upon extensive theoretical and practical knowledge in substantive and procedural law. The firm is strategically positioned to provide One-Stop legal services, robustly covering both financial law and general corporate law needs.

The firm emphasizes collective excellence through Knowledge Management, ensuring that all professionals share expertise, information, and experience to deliver prompt and high-quality organizational services. A key strength is the firm's deep involvement across the entire spectrum of financial transactions, including Banking, Structured Finance/Securitization, Loan and Credit matters, and extensive Financial Regulatory and Legislative Law support, positioning the firm to pursue future recognition across various financial practice areas.

1. Financial Regulation & Comprehensive Finance Law

The firm provides wide-ranging legal services across the full spectrum of finance law, covering banking transactions, credit and loan matters, financial regulation, and the development of new financial products and schemes. Drawing on deep experience working with financial institutions and finance-related businesses, the firm offers practical, business-oriented solutions that align with regulatory expectations while supporting clients’ commercial objectives.

• Financial Regulatory Compliance: Extensive support under the Banking Act, Payment Services Act, Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, Money Lending Business Act, Installment Sales Act, and other financial regulations.

• Strategic & Policy Law: Active involvement in legislative and regulatory policy matters, including legal-system development, submission of public comments, and advisory roles for financial industry associations.

• FinTech & Digital Finance: Handling legal issues relating to payment services, electronic money, digital assets, stablecoins, tokenization, and emerging financial technologies.

2. Structured Finance & Securitization

The firm has robust expertise in structured finance and asset securitization, advising on complex schemes and regulatory issues across real estate securitization, real estate funds, trust structures, project finance, PFI/PPP, securities issuance, and real estate structured finance.

3. Information Law (Information, Data & Privacy)

The firm provides comprehensive advice on information and data-related regulations, including the Personal Information Protection Act, the My Number Act, and data utilization laws. Beyond regulatory compliance, the team offers guidance on digital service development, data governance, authentication systems, and risk assessment for new technology-driven business models.

4. Corporate & M&A

The firm provides flexible and precise support for a wide range of corporate legal needs. The practice emphasizes proactive corporate law, offering practical guidance based on industry trends and business objectives. Services include Contract Drafting and Review, General Corporate Legal Affairs, M&A, Startup Support, and Shareholder Meetings.

5. Crisis Management & Compliance

The firm offers comprehensive assistance in compliance and risk management, including the development and enhancement of internal control systems. Services include AML/CFT compliance, responses to misconduct, internal investigations including third-party committee investigations, audit support, whistleblower hotline services, and general compliance advisory.

6. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

The firm handles a broad range of civil and commercial disputes. The practice pursues efficient and appropriate dispute resolution through sophisticated legal analysis and thorough preparation, including civil preservation and enforcement procedures. The team also manages highly specialized disputes across various business areas, including financial, corporate, and real estate matters.