LAWYER PROFILE
Masanori Sato

Masanori Sato

Asia-Pacific 2026

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Mori Hamada
 Mori Hamada

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Banking & Finance: Domestic

Japan

12 years ranked

Capital Markets: Domestic: Securitisation & Derivatives

Japan

16 years ranked

About

Provided by Mori Hamada

Practice Areas

Structured Finance / Banking (Securitization, Real Estate Financing, Project Finance, LBO Finance, Derivatives, Banking); Sustainability / Environmental Law (Sustainability, Emissions Trading / Carbon Credits, Decarbonization / Green Transformation); Energy / Infrastructure (Power Generation / Battery Storage, Renewable Energy / Environmental Attributes, Infrastructure / PPP, Infrastructure Funds); Financial Regulation (Banking, Trusts, Financial Instruments Business); M&A (M&A / Reorganizations / Capital and Business Alliances, Private Equity); Asset Management / Funds (REITs, Infrastructure Funds); Real Estate / REITs (Real Estate Financing, REITs)

Career

Background

The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1988); University of Chicago Law School (LL.M., 1993); Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, New York (1993-1994); Linklaters, London (1994-1995)

Major Activities

Member of the Financial Law Board; Member of the Japan Branch Council of the International Project Finance Association; Professor at The University of Tokyo⁠, Graduate School of Law and Politics (⁠April 2019-March 2022⁠); Member of Study Group on “⁠New Security Legislation and Trusts⁠,⁠” organized by Trust Forum Foundation (⁠2025-⁠)

Professional Memberships

admitted in Japan, 1990; New York, 1994

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Asia & Pacific

Banking & Finance: Domestic - Japan

Band 1
Individual Editorial

Masanori Sato heads the Mori Hamada banking and finance practice group and is widely recognised in the market for his structured finance practice.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Capital Markets: Domestic: Securitisation & Derivatives - Japan

Band 1
Individual Editorial

Masanori Sato is sought after for his knowledge of transaction structuring and documentation. His work includes advice on derivatives transactions, regulatory issues and securitisation deals, including margin loans and receivables.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Not only does Masanori Sato have cutting-edge knowledge in the field of finance, but he also provides more practical legal advice based on a deep understanding of our business.

    Banking & Finance: DomesticChambers Asia & Pacific

  • He is able to come up with creative ideas when working on new types of projects and consulting on difficult situations.

    Banking & Finance: DomesticChambers Asia & Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Mori Hamada (70)

Japan

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