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Atsumi & Sakai
Yuri Suzuki
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Yuri Suzuki

Senior Partner

Main Practices
Banking / Insurance / Financial Regulation / Fintech / General Corporate Legal Affairs / Cashless Payments and E-money / Financial Institution DX, BaaS, and API / Electronic Payment Services (PFM, Accounting Services), Information Banks, and Use of Financial Information / Crowdfunding / Small Business Financing / Robo-advisors and Trading Market Forecasts / InsurTech / Crypto-assets / STOs, Stable Coins, and Local Currencies / RegTech and SupTech / Regional Finance / Structured Finance and Securitization / Inward Investment / Anti-dumping and Trade Remedies / Digital Platforms / Open Innovation and Startups / Public Relations, Regulatory Reform, and Sandbox / Data Utilization / Taiwan / Vietnam / North/Latin America
Languages
Japanese / English
Office
Tokyo
Contact

Overview

Publications & Seminars

Awards

Admitted

Japan (2001) and New York (2006)

Bar Association

Daini Tokyo Bar Association

Education

Waseda University (LL.B., 1997)
The Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan
New York University School of Law (LL.M. in Corporation Law, 2005)

Background

Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Chicago)

Member

JFBA Center for Promotion of International Legal Service (2014-)
Designated by the JFBA as a support attorney under the system to introduce support attorneys for small and medium-sized enterprises doing business in overseas countries/regions 
The Japan Association of International Economic Law
Trustee of Japan Institute of Life Insurance (June 2015-June 2023)
Member of the Individual-type Pension Policy Formulation Committee of the National Pension Fund Association
Member of a Tokyo Metropolitan Government led study group on attracting foreign finance related corporations  
Legal adviser to the Japan Blockchain Association
Member of the Registered Foreign Lawyers Disciplinary Actions Committee of the JFBA 
Vice-Chair of the Financial and Banking Law Conferences Subcommittee of the Banking Law Committee of the International Bar Association
Member of the study group "Innovation and Laws" (February 2017-)
Vice-Chair of the Banking, Finance & Securities Committee, the Inter-Pacific Bar Association
Japan Association of the Law of Finance
Temporary Special Advisor (part-time) to the Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (September 2018-August 2019)
Supporter of "Fintech Business Camp Tokyo" and "Tech Business Camp Tokyo", Tokyo Metropolitan Government Accelerator Program
Auditor of The Organization of Global Financial City Tokyo
Member of the expert panel of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Global Financial City: Tokyo Vision"
Vice-Chair of the Banking & Finance Committee, LAWASIA

Publications

  • Fintech: how is the world shaping the financial innovation industry?, Japan Chapter, International Bar Association Banking Law Committee (2023)[Co-author]

  • Asset Managers & FinTech Companies Registration Guidebook 3rd Edition,  Tokyo Metropolitan Government (with the cooperation of the Financial Services Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) (2023)  [Co-author]
  • Techniques for Utilizing Regional Financing, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (2022) [Co-author]

  • “Japan: Trends & Developments, ” Chambers Global Practice Guides - Blockchain 2022, Chambers and Partners (2022)  [Co-author]

  • “Study Report on Overseas Stablecoin Use Cases and Analysis of Related Regulations,” Financial Services Agency (2022) [Co-author]

  • 6000 Legal Countermeasures for Financial Institutions Vol.3: Incidental and Ancillary Services, Fintech, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (2022) [Co-author]

  • "Establishment of Infrastructure for the Realization of a Global Financial City" Kinyu Houmu Jijo No.2177（2022）
  • "Current Situation of Legal Discussions Abroad regarding Crypto-Assets," Financial and Business Law Precedents No.1611 (2021) [Co-author]
  • Manual for Drafting Syndicated Loan Agreements New Edition‐Practical Know-how in Domestic and Overseas Joint Financing‐Fourth edition, CHUOKEIZAI-SHA INC. (2021) [Co-author]
  • Libra’s Identity: Will GAFA Dominate the Currency?, Nikkei Publishing Inc. (2019) [Co-author]
  • "A fresh dose of regulation and promotion," Asia Pacific Fintech Special Focus 2019, IFLR April/May 2019, IFLR (2019) [Co-author]
  • Getting the Deal Through - Defence & Security Procurement 2019, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2019) [Co-author]
  • Getting the Deal Through - Fintech 2019, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2018) [Co-author]
  • "Research Study on Recent Trends of Data Protection Acts in Other Countries,” Personal Information Protection Commission (2018) [Co-author]
  • "Fintech, LegalTech, AI, GDPR," LAWYERS GUIDE ~Trends in Innovation~, Business Law Journal No.125, LexisNexis Japan (2018) [Co-author]
  • "Firm but fair," ASIA FINTECH SPECIAL FOCUS-JAPAN, IFLR May 2018, IFLR (2018) [Co-author]
  • Manual for Drafting Syndicated Loan Agreements New Edition‐Practical Know-how in Domestic and Overseas Joint Financing‐Third edition, CHUOKEIZAI-SHA INC. (2018) [Co-author]
  • Getting the Deal Through - Defence & Security Procurement 2018, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2018) [Co-author]
  • “Proposals of the Study Group on “Innovation and Law”,” The 16th Investment, etc. Working Group of the Cabinet Office’s Regulatory Reform Promotion Council (as a member of the same study group) (2018) [Co-author]
  • 5000 Legal Countermeasures for Financial Institutions Vol.3: Lending, Management, and Guarantees, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (2018) [Co-author]
  • 5000 Legal Countermeasures for Financial Institutions Vol.2: Exchange, Bills and Checks, Electronically Recorded Monetary Claims, Auxiliary Business, and Peripheral Business, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (2018) [Co-author]
  • "The Entire Picture of the "Global Financial City: Tokyo" Vision – Global Financial City in Asia Revealed by the Project Team of Tokyo Metropolitan Government," Banking Education Co., Ltd. (2017) [Co-author]
  • "Although it's Booming, Investor Protection is Urgently Needed for ICOs," Weekly Financial Affairs (Kinyu Zaisei Jijyo) Vol. 68 No. 46, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (December, 2017) [Co-author]
  • "Growth Strategy 2017: Fine-tuning Japan's Banking Act for Fintech," Who's Who Legal: Japan 2017, Law Business Research Ltd. (2017) [Co-author]
  • Getting the Deal Through - Fintech 2018, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2017) [Co-author]
  • "Look Before You Leap: Issues that Mercari Users Should Know When Using the Services," in Toyo Keizai Weekly Magazine, September 23rd issue, Toyo Keizai Inc. (September, 2017) [Comment]
  • "Aiming at innovation and a global financial centre," Global Banking & Financial Policy Review 2017/2018, IFLR (2017)  [Co-author]
  • Guidance to the Asset Management Industry in Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (with the cooperation of the Financial Services Agency) (2017)  [Co-author]
  • "Realization Likelihood of the "Tokyo Version of the Financial Big Bang"," GINKO JITSUMU Vol. 47 No.9, Banking Education Co., Ltd. (September, 2017) [Co-author]
  • "Amendments to the Banking Act and Practical Tips: Mainly from a Financial Institution's Perspective," Finance Law Journal No.2070, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. (July, 2017)  [Co-author]
  • "Fintech: Business Strategies and the Law," Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. (2017) [Co-author]
  • "Moving forward," ASIA FINTECH SPECIAL FOCUS-JAPAN, IFLR May 2017, IFLR (2017) [Co-author]
  • "Work in progress," BANKING & PROJECT FINANCE JAPAN, IFLR April 2017, IFLR (2017) [Co-author]
  • "Issues for Developing New Systems for Introduction of Open Bank API," Junkan Shoji Homu No. 2130, Japan Institute of Business Law (April, 2017) [Co-author]
  • "Current Status of Autonomous Driving Technology and Future Outlook of Car Insurance," KINZAI Financial Plan No. 386, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. (April, 2017) [Co-author]
  • Getting the Deal Through - Defence & Security Procurement 2017, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2017) [Co-author]
  • "In the spotlight," IFLR March 2017, IFLR (2017) [Co-author]
  • “FinTech: Key Points on Agency Services Including Electronic Payment,” GINKO JITSUMU Vol. 47 No.3, Banking Education Co., Ltd. (March, 2017) [Co-author]
  • "Bank Application Programming Interface (API): Terms of Use Model and Practical Key Points," Finance Law Journal No.2060, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. (February, 2017) [Co-author]
  • "Industry Focus: Fintech - Japan," Asian Legal Business, Thomson Reuters (January, 2017) [Interview]
  • "FinTech for Beginners Part 6 (Series Finale): Regional Revitalization and FinTech," Ginko Homu 21, Economic Legal Research Institute (November, 2016)
  • Getting the Deal Through - Fintech 2017, Japan Chapter, Law Business Research Ltd. (2016) [Co-author]
  • "FinTech Legislation in Japan", Global Banking & Financial Policy Review 2016/17, IFLR (2016) [Co-author]
  • "Practical Implications of the 2016 Amendments to the Banking Act and Payment Services Act, etc.—With a Focus on Fintech," Junkan Shoji Homu No. 2108, Japan Institute of Business Law (August, 2016) [Co-author]
  • “FinTech for Beginners Part 3: FinTech in the Money Lending Industry”, Ginko Homu 21, Economic Legal Research Institute (August, 2016) [Co-author]
  • “Insurance × Technology = “InsTech”: Trends and Legal Considerations“, Weekly Financial Affairs (Kinyu Zaisei Jijyo) No. 3170, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs (June, 2016)
  • "Managing Japan's fintech groundswell", IFLR May 2016, IFLR（2016）[Co-author]
  • "Innovation by Banks and FinTech Companies‐A Summary of FinTech Issues from the Perspective of Financial and IT Law", FINANCIAL LAW JOURNAL, Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc. (February, 2016) [Co-author]
  • Manual for Drafting Syndicated Loan Agreements New Edition‐Practical Know-how in Domestic and Overseas Joint Financing‐Second edition, CHUOKEIZAI-SHA INC. (2014) [Co-author]
  • "Fundamentals of Japanese Law for Japan Inbound Investors", the Financial Service Guideline of Chinese Small and Medium Enterprise, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center (2013)
  • "Aiming at diversity", IFLR JULY/AUGUST 2012, IFLR (2012) [Co-author]
  • "Overview of Regulations Relating to Outward Direct Investment from China", KOKUSAI SHOJI HOMU, The Japanese Institute of International Business Law, Inc. (April 2012) [Co-author]
  • Manual for Drafting Syndicated Loan Agreements New Edition‐Practical Know-how in Domestic and Overseas Joint Financing, CHUOKEIZAI-SHA INC. (2011) [Co-author]
  • "ADR in Business Restructuring: a Q&A" Turnaround Manager, Banking Education Co., Ltd. (January, 2010) [Co-author]
  • Workbook for the 1st Tier Exam for Consulting Work concerning Financial Instruments (2008 edition), Kinzai, (2008) [Co-author]
  • Workbook for the 2nd Tier Exam for Consulting Work concerning Financial Instruments (2008 edition), Kinzai, (2007) [Co-author]
  • Workbook for the 3rd Tier Exam for Consulting Work concerning Financial Instruments (2008 edition), Kinzai, (2007) [Co-author]
  • "Securitizations Place Compliance Burden on Arrangers," The IFLR Guide to Japan (2004) [Co-author]

Web Articles

  • "Stablecoins Legislation and Other Legislative Changes Affecting the Japan Fintech Industry," Chambers FinTech 2023 (January, 2023) [Co-author]

  • "An Introduction to FinTech Legal (Chambers PA: FinTech 2022 Overview Japan)," Chambers FinTech 2022 (January, 2022) [Co-author]

  • "Establishing New Services and Promoting Businesses after the Pandemic," Chambers FinTech 2021 (December, 2020) [Co-author]
  • "Data Driven Innovation and Regulatory Consolidation," Chambers FinTech 2020 (January, 2020) [Co-author]
  • "Japan: wholesale regulatory rethink," IFLR Fintech Leaders 2019 (July 2019)
  • "Moving Forward to a Cashless Society", Chambers FinTech 2019 (January, 2019) [Co-author]
  • "Bitcoin definition remains unclear under new bill", IFLR Online Journal（May 31, 2016）[Interview]
  • “Bitcoin Legality and The Ramifications of Proposed Legislative Amendments”, ZUU online (March, 2016)
  • "Redressing the balance between mortgage borrowers, SMEs and their lenders", International Law Office (April, 2010)
  • "The Down of E-money Claims", International Law Office (October, 2009)
  • "Reform of Civil Code: Impact on Banks", International Law Office (July, 2009)
  • "Amended Ordinance Facilitates Islamic Finance", International Law Office (April, 2009)
  • "New Paperless Share System and its Impact on Stock Collateral", International Law Office (January, 2009)

Seminars

  • Speaker at the session entitled "Securitisations - challenges and hurdles for a rebirth of securitisations," at the IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023, hosted by International Bar Association, November 2, 2023
  • Speaker at a webinar entitled "Is the ‘too big to fail’ trauma still haunting us? Making sense of bank resolution after SVB and Credit Suisse," hosted by International Bar Association Banking Law Committee, September 26, 2023
  • Panelist at the webinar entitled "B2B Fintech Payment Methods," hosted by LAWASIA Banking & Finance Committee, June 21, 2023
  • Moderator at a panel session entitled “Fintech’s impact on Asian financial markets II: the regulatory and legislative developments in stablecoins,” at the 4th Asia-based International Financial Law Conference, hosted by International Bar Association,  March 30, 2023
  • Co-Chair of the “4th Asia-based International Financial Law Conference," hosted by International Bar Association, March 29-31, 2023
  • Moderator at a session entitled "Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Procedures Post-Crypto and COVID, How to Deal with Globalisation and Remote Identification", at the IPBA 31st Annual Meeting and Conference in Dubai, hosted by Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), March 8, 2023
  • "Stable Coin Regulations," at the webinar entitled “The 47th Fintech Seminar CBDC/Latest Trend of Digital Currency,” hosted by KPMG AZSA LLC, September 27, 2022
  • Moderator at "The Future of FinTech – Regulations and Expectations," hosted by LAWASIA Banking & Finance Committee, March 23, 2022
  • Speaker at a banking & finance session entitled "Regulating Cryptocurrency: Too Much or Too Little," at the LAWASIA 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, Novemnber 15-18, 2021
  • Speaker at a panel session entitled "ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Banking and Finance", at a conference entitled "What Does ESG Mean for the Financial Market Players?," hosted by Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), sponsored by LexisNexis, Novemer 15, 2021
  • Speaker at a panel session entitled "ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Banking and Finance", at a conference entitled "Innovative Resilience in an Altered Legal Landscape," hosted by Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), June 15-19, 2021
  • Panelist at a panel session entitled "International financial hub, regulation and legislation," at the"World Fintech Festival Japan," on December 8, 2020, organized by So Inc., in collaboration with the Fintech Association of Japan, and supported by the OECD Tokyo Centre, the Organization of Global Financial City Tokyo, and FINOLAB Inc.
  • Panelist at a panel discussion entitled "International Financial Hubs ~ Perspectives of Japanese Players" at the "Nikkei Virtual Global Forum: International Financial Hub - Japan’s role," on December 2, 2020, hosted by Nikkei Inc.
  • "Innovation and Regulatory Initiatives," at a syposium "Insights into the New Era of Industrial Innovation and related Legal Issues," hosted by Westlaw Japan K.K. and Jiji Press, Ltd., January 30, 2020
  • Speaker at a banking & finance session entitled "Fintech, Cryptocurrency and Initial Coin Offering," at the 32nd LAWASIA Conference held in Hong Kong, Novemnber 5-8, 2019
  • Speaker at a session entitled "Whistleblower claims in financial services companies: A global challenge," at the International Bar Association's 2019 Annual Conference held in Seoul, September 22-27, 2019
  • Speaker at a panel session entitled "Fintech Panel – Hot Topics for the Fintech Industry", 29th IPBA Annual Meeting and Conference in Singapore, hosted by Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), April 25-27, 2019
  • “Cutting Edge Fintech: Status of Efforts for the Realization of Cashless Society,” hosted by Atsumi & Sakai and Westlaw Japan K.K., November 30, 2018
  • Speaker at a session entitled "LPD Showcase: initial coin offerings (ICOs) – technology meets finance," at the International Bar Association's 2018 Annual Conference held in Rome, October 9, 2018
  • Speaker at a workshop entitled "Innovation through Data Utilization: Legal practice dealing with GDPR, cross-border transfers of personal data, AI, data agreements, Amended Unfair Competition Prevention Act, and Open API, etc.," at an event entitled "FIN/SUM X REG/SUM 2018," co-hosted by Nikkei Inc. and the Financial Services Agency, sponsored by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., September 26, 2018
  • "Latest Trends of InsurTech in Japan and Overseas and Important Legal Points," hosted by Seminar-Info, August 8, 2018
  • "Personal Information Protection Systems in Countries Outside Japan - From Recent Trends to the Statuses in Emerging Countries," hosted by Atsumi & Sakai and Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI), June 15, 2018
  • "[FINTECH 2018] A sequence of Crypto currency: Truth & Fiction," hosted by the Korea Financial Times, April 24, 2018
    *Panelist at a session entitled "Analysis of Japan's Crypto currency market and Policy direction of the Japanese Government"
  • "Inter-Pacific Bar Association 28th Annual Meeting and Conference in Manila," hosted by IPBA, March 15, 2018
    *Panelist at a session entitled "Fintech Panel: Cryptocurrencies and ICOs"
  • Panelist at a symposium session entitled "Tech X Law Firm: Collaboration for the Future," at the event entitled "REG/SUM," hosted by Nikkei Inc., sponsored by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., December 21, 2017
  • Speaker at a Banking Law Committee's session entitled "Banks and financial technology: will banks become back offices for FinTech companies?," at the International Bar Association's 2017 Annual Conference held in Sydney, October 12, 2017
  • Moderator and speaker at a workshop entitled "Sony Financial Holdings presents "Future of Insuretech"," at an event entitled "FIN/SUM WEEK 2017," co-hosted by Nikkei Inc., the Financial Services Agency, and the Fintech Association of Japan, sponsored by Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., September 20, 2017
  • "Cutting Edge FinTech: Enforcement of the Revision of the Banking Act and Other Acts of 2016 (Relaxation of Banking Regulations and so-called "Virtual Currency Act"), Revision of the Banking Act of 2017 (Open API and Electronic Payments Service Providers, etc.,) and Other Latest Information," hosted by Westlaw Japan K.K., July 14, 2017
  • "Developments on InsTech and the Insurance Business Act," at the 35th regular meeting of the Insurance Sound Promotion Organization on July 11, 2017
  • "Legal Key Points on Financial Institutions’ Use and Commercialization of Artificial Intelligence," hosted by Seminar-Info, April 27, 2017
  • "Inter-Pacific Bar Association 27th Annual Meeting and Conference in Auckland," hosted by IPBA, April 8, 2017
    *Speaker at a panel session entitled "Fintech: Key Legal Challenges Fintech Companies Are Facing in Different Jurisdictions"
  • "2016 Fall Meeting," hosted by ABA Section of International Law, October 20, 2016
    *Speaker at a panel session entitled "Japan Signals Its Next Move Into the Banking Fast Lane - A Discussion of the Latest Steps Being Taken to Shake the Japanese Financial System Out of Its 15 Year Deflationary Mindset"
  • "Overseas Expansion – A Legal Primer for Japanese Corporates," co-hosted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, the Tokyo Bar Association, Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association, and the Daini Tokyo Bengoshi Association, September 16, 2016
  • "Recent Developments in FinTech in the UK, Singapore, Japan," hosted by Atsumi & Sakai and Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI), September 6, 2016
  • "29th LAWASIA Conference - Golden Jubilee Conference," hosted by LAWASIA, August 12-15, 2016
    *Speaker at a session entitled "Current Issues for Asia and the Pacific"
    *Judge at "International Moot Competition"
  •  "FinTech in Japan: an Overview of Current Innovations and Regulatory Developments," hosted by International Bankers Assocation of Japan (IBA JAPAN), July 7, 2016
  • "FINNOVASIA Japan FinTech Night in Hong Kong," co-hosted by the FinTech Association Japan, in cooperation with FINNOVASIA, May 29, 2016
  • "Japan's FinTech Amendments: Changes to the Banking Act and Other Legislation Enacted May 25, 2016" held by the FinTech Association of Japan, May 26, 2016
  • "Current Status of FinTech: Services, Legislation, and Developments in Foreign Countries," hosted by Keisi Chousa Kenkyukai, May 24, 2016
  • "General Overview of International Business and Legal Practice," at a seminar on businesses in India, South Korea and Vietnam on February 23, 2016, and a seminar on businesses in France, Taiwan and Indonesia on February 25, 2016, both co-hosted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Daini Tokyo Bar Association, in cooperation with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations
  • "Legal Business for Property Investment and Management in Japan," hosted by Daini Tokyo Bar Association and Taipei Bar Association, 11 January, 2016
  • "Tsinghua University Seminar for Chinese Company CEOs," hosted by Tsinghua University and Atsumi & Sakai, April 21, 2015
    *Part 1: Examples of M&A between Japanese and Chinese Companies and Growth in Chinese Investment in Japan
    *Part 2: Legal Considerations when Investing in Japan
  • "Outline and Current Issues of Japanese Real Estate Investment Trusts," at the 2nd Asian Forum of Legislative Information Affairs held in South Korea, co-hosted by the Ministry of Government Legislation, National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Korean Public Law Association, June 27, 2012
  • "Legal Considerations in Relation to Chinese Corporate Investments in Japan," at the 20th Japan-China Industry, Science and Technology Symposium, hosted by the Association for Communication of Trans-cultural Study, November 18, 2011
  • "Law and Practice of Syndicated Lending: Contract Basics and Recent Developments," hosted by Kinyu Zaimu Kenkyukai, September 28, 2010
  • "Business Restructuring and Turnaround Strategies in Times of Economic Difficulty: the Sponsor's Perspective," hosted by the Kinzai, September 9, 2009