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Cutting-edge media by ZeLo

Tetsushi Watanabe

Tetsushi Watanabe

Attorney admitted in Japan, US lawyer Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association

Japanese, English

Graduated from Waseda University in 2008, completed the Keio Law School in 2010 and passed the Bar Examination, and registered as a lawyer in 2011 (member of the Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association). Worked mainly on domestic and cross-border finance cases at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Atsumi & Sakai Law Office and Foreign Law Office; studied at the University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.M) in 2019 and passed the NY State Bar Exam in 2021. Seconded to a financial institution in London and became a partner upon returning in 2022; joined NOT A HOTEL Ltd in March 2023. In April 2025, he joined the law firm ZeLo. His main areas of practice are finance, funds, real estate and venture/start-up law. He specialises in complex and difficult legal work and contributes to increasing the value of the company beyond his role at NOT A HOTEL by building the business, developing the organisation and improving the operational efficiency of the legal department.

Education

2020
University of Pennsylvania (LL.M.)
2010
Keio University Law School
2008
Faculty of Law, Waseda University (LL.B.)

Experience

2025
Joined ZeLo
2023
Joined NOT A HOTEL Inc.
2021
Passed the NY State Bar Examination
2017
Joined Atsumi&Sakai
2014
Joined Japan Bank for International Cooperation
2011
Joined Law Firm at Tokyo
2011
Registered with the Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association
2010
Passed the Japanese Bar Exam

Representative Works

  • Domestic and cross-border project finance, syndicated loans
  • Domestic and cross-border investment projects and joint ventures in operating companies, infrastructure, real estate, etc.
  • Ship and aircraft finance
  • Mobility business scheme development
  • Securitisation, fund formation and management of real estate, ships, etc.
  • Management, system development and regulatory support for Type II money market companies.
  • Formation, development and operation of DAOs, and dealing with the authorities.
  • NFT and crypto-asset product structuring

Awards & Rankings

2026
The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 - Structured Finance Law
2025
The Best Lawyers in Japan 2026 - Structured Finance Law

Activities

  • NOT A HOTEL2nd Inc. (CEO April 2023-November 2023, CCO December 2023-)
  • NOT A HOTEL DAO Inc. (Executive Director, June 2023-)

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