The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 has recognized four ZeLo attorneys
The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 (published by Best Lawyers®) has recognized four attorneys from ZeLo.
For more information, please visit the Best Lawyers website.
We will continue to strive as a firm to provide high-quality legal services to our clients.
Best Lawyers
Real Estate Law
Satoshi Nomura (Attorney-at-law, admitted in Japan and NY, Tokyo Bar Association)Structured Finance Law
Tetsushi Watanabe (Attorney-at-law, admitted in Japan and NY, Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association)FinTech Practice
Source: The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 website, Best Lawyers Recipients
Chika Minami (Daini Tokyo Bar Association)
Mr. Nomura has been selected for the seventh consecutive year, while Mr. Watanabe and Ms. Minami have each been selected for the second consecutive year.
Ones to Watch
Litigation
Source: The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 website, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Recipients
Takayuki Ito (Daini Tokyo Bar Association)
Mr. Ito has been selected for the fifth consecutive year.
Profiles
Attorney admitted in Japan, NY
Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law in 1997 and registered as a lawyer (Japan) in 2000 (member of the Tokyo Bar Association). After working at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur (U.S.), and Clifford Chance LLP, he joined ZeLo Foreign Law Joint Enterprise in 2020. His practice focuses on general corporate, investment, start-up support, finance, real estate, financial and other regulatory matters. In addition to domestic cases, he also handles many overseas cases and English-language contracts. He is also an expert in FinTech, having authored the article "Fintech legislation in recent years" in the Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. His other major publications include "Japan in Space - National Architecture, Policy, Legislation and Business in the 21st Century" (Eleven International Publishing, 2021). Publishing, 2021).
Graduated from the University of Tokyo Faculty of Law in 1997 and registered as a lawyer (Japan) in 2000 (member of the Tokyo Bar Association). After working at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur (U.S.), and Clifford Chance LLP, he joined ZeLo Foreign Law Joint Enterprise in 2020. His practice focuses on general corporate, investment, start-up support, finance, real estate, financial and other regulatory matters. In addition to domestic cases, he also handles many overseas cases and English-language contracts. He is also an expert in FinTech, having authored the article "Fintech legislation in recent years" in the Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law. His other major publications include "Japan in Space - National Architecture, Policy, Legislation and Business in the 21st Century" (Eleven International Publishing, 2021). Publishing, 2021).
Attorney admitted in Japan, US lawyer
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.
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.
Attorney admitted in Japan
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Kyoto University in 2012. Completed the School of Law at Kyoto University and passed the National Bar Examination in 2014. Joined Nishimura & Asahi in 2016 and ZeLo in 2018. Graduated University of Pennsylvania Law School and earned an LL.M. and Wharton Business and Law Certificate in 2022. From November 2022 to December 2024, served at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, working on startup policy (Office for Startup Creation, Minister’s Secretariat / Startup Promotion Office, Innovation Creation and New Business Development Division, Innovation and Environment Bureau), as Senior Director for Planning and Coordination. Returned to ZeLo in January 2025. Her areas of practice are startup support, rulemaking and public affairs, fintech, M&A, general corporate matters, and crisis management and compliance. Representative Director of Public Meets Innovation. Publications include "Strategy and Practice of Rulemaking" (Shojihomu, 2021). Winner of the “Innovator of the Year” award at the ALB Women in Law Awards 2021.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Kyoto University in 2012. Completed the School of Law at Kyoto University and passed the National Bar Examination in 2014. Joined Nishimura & Asahi in 2016 and ZeLo in 2018. Graduated University of Pennsylvania Law School and earned an LL.M. and Wharton Business and Law Certificate in 2022. From November 2022 to December 2024, served at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, working on startup policy (Office for Startup Creation, Minister’s Secretariat / Startup Promotion Office, Innovation Creation and New Business Development Division, Innovation and Environment Bureau), as Senior Director for Planning and Coordination. Returned to ZeLo in January 2025. Her areas of practice are startup support, rulemaking and public affairs, fintech, M&A, general corporate matters, and crisis management and compliance. Representative Director of Public Meets Innovation. Publications include "Strategy and Practice of Rulemaking" (Shojihomu, 2021). Winner of the “Innovator of the Year” award at the ALB Women in Law Awards 2021.
Attorney admitted in Japan
Graduated from Kyoto University's Faculty of Law in 2011, completed Kyoto University Law School in 2013, and passed the bar exam the same year. Registered as a lawyer in 2014 (Osaka Bar Association). Joined Irokawa Law Office in 2015. Seconded to the Consumer Affairs Agency's Labeling Division in 2020. Joined ZeLo in April 2022. Main areas of practice include healthcare, M&A, public affairs, general corporate, business restructuring and bankruptcy, litigation and dispute resolution, data protection, crisis management, and human resources and labor. Leveraging the experience gained during the secondment to the Consumer Affairs Agency's Labeling Division from 2020 to 2022, provides advice on complex advertising regulations in the medical field, IT system development, and business methods. Also offers advice on the provision of prizes and gifts to companies in the medical industry and has a significant track record in medical litigation.
Graduated from Kyoto University's Faculty of Law in 2011, completed Kyoto University Law School in 2013, and passed the bar exam the same year. Registered as a lawyer in 2014 (Osaka Bar Association). Joined Irokawa Law Office in 2015. Seconded to the Consumer Affairs Agency's Labeling Division in 2020. Joined ZeLo in April 2022. Main areas of practice include healthcare, M&A, public affairs, general corporate, business restructuring and bankruptcy, litigation and dispute resolution, data protection, crisis management, and human resources and labor. Leveraging the experience gained during the secondment to the Consumer Affairs Agency's Labeling Division from 2020 to 2022, provides advice on complex advertising regulations in the medical field, IT system development, and business methods. Also offers advice on the provision of prizes and gifts to companies in the medical industry and has a significant track record in medical litigation.
