So & Sato Law Offices

What So & Sato Law Offices does

So & Sato Law Offices (創・佐藤法律事務所) is a Tokyo-based boutique law firm founded in 2015 by So Saito after 16 years at Nishimura & Partners (now Nishimura & Asahi), specializing in legal advisory at the intersection of finance, technology, and corporate law. The firm organizes its practice into five areas: FinTech/Blockchain (crypto assets, security tokens, DeFi, payment services, open banking); M&A/Corporate (transactions, joint ventures, startup support, general corporate matters); Capital Markets/Finance (equity/debt financing, IPOs, securitization, structured finance, derivatives); Investment Funds (PE, venture capital, hedge funds, fund regulations); and Tech/Innovation (AI, generative AI, big data, IoT, AR/VR, PropTech, BioTech). The firm serves a diverse client base spanning Japanese startups, listed manufacturers, financial institutions, and foreign companies entering Japan, with named contacts at both the Akasaka headquarters and the Marunouchi office.

The firm operates a partner-led engagement model through two Tokyo offices (Akasaka and Marunouchi, with the Marunouchi location expanded in February 2026) and 20+ team members including founding partner So Saito, managing partner Yuki Sato, multiple partners, associates, advisers, foreign-qualified lawyers, and paralegals. Revenue is generated exclusively through professional service fees — typically hourly or fixed-fee arrangements negotiated on a per-engagement basis — with no product, API, or technology licensing revenue. The firm maintains no public pricing. Distribution is direct: partners engage enterprise clients on transactional and regulatory matters, supplemented by thought-leadership content via innovationlaw.jp, a periodic newsletter, conference speaking engagements, and pro-bono industry association service.

Competitive positioning centers on specialized regulatory expertise in Japanese FinTech and crypto frameworks, with So Saito holding 8 consecutive years of Chambers Top FinTech Lawyer rankings (2019-2026), the firm recognized as a Legal 500 Leading Firm in FinTech and Investment Funds, and partners serving as governance roles across Japan Blockchain Association, Japan STO Association, Metaverse Japan Association, and as corporate auditor/supervisor at multiple Web3 and REIT entities. The firm is a 2026 ALB Japan Law Awards finalist for Transactional Boutique Law Firm of the Year and has been published in CryptoMegaphone and major Japanese media outlets.

Name

So & Sato Law Offices

Legal name

So & Sato Law Offices (創・佐藤律师事务所)

Website

https://innovationlaw.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

So & Sato Law Offices is a Tokyo-based boutique law firm (founded 2015) specializing in FinTech, blockchain, Web3, capital markets, investment funds, and technology law for startups, financial institutions, listed manufacturers, and foreign companies entering Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110), Legal Services (5411)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHAAAI

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Legal Services

SECONDARYBPAHAFAE

Financial Crime, AML/CFT & Sanctions Compliance

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Risk, Compliance & Governance Advisory

SECONDARYBPAHALAI

Due Diligence & Investigative Research

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Research, Analytics & Expert Services

Keywords

• Fintech legal services
• Blockchain law
• Capital markets advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Investment fund formation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Legal Services Fees: The firm generates revenue through providing professional legal services including legal advisory, transaction support, regulatory compliance consulting, and representation in corporate matters. Fees are typically charged based on hourly rates or fixed fees for specific services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

So & Sato Law Offices is a Tokyo-based boutique law firm providing specialized legal advisory services at the intersection of finance and technology. The firm operates five practice areas: FinTech/Blockchain (crypto assets, security tokens, DeFi, payment services, open banking), M&A/Corporate, Capital Markets/Finance (IPOs, securitization, derivatives), Investment Funds (PE, VC, hedge funds), and Tech/Innovation (AI, generative AI, big data, IoT, biotech). It serves domestic and international clients including startups, financial institutions, listed manufacturers, and foreign companies entering Japan, working through partner-led engagements billed on hourly or fixed-fee basis.

Product overview

So & Sato Law Offices is a Japanese law firm (創・佐藤律师事务所) providing specialized legal services rather than a technology product company. The firm offers five interconnected practice areas: FinTech/Blockchain (covering crypto assets, security tokens, DeFi, payment services, open banking), M&A/Corporate (including startup advisory and general corporate matters), Capital Markets/Finance (covering IPOs, securitization, derivatives), Investment Funds (PE, venture capital, hedge funds), and Tech/Innovation (AI, generative AI, big data, IoT, biotech). The firm is recognized as a Leading Firm in FinTech and Investment Funds by Legal 500 Asia Pacific and has been consistently ranked in Chambers & Partners for FinTech practice from 2019-2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FinTech/Blockchain Legal Services Legal advisory services covering crypto assets and derivatives, security tokens, DeFi, payment services, and open banking under Japanese financial regulations. Targeted at FinTech startups, crypto exchanges, STO issuers, payment service providers, and DeFi protocol developers operating in or entering Japan.
• M&A/Corporate Legal Services Legal advisory for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, startup support, and general corporate matters including structuring, due diligence, and contract negotiations. Serves clients from startup through listed companies across domestic and international deals.
• Capital Markets/Finance Legal Services Legal advisory on equity and debt financing, IPOs, securitization, structured products, derivatives, and financial business regulations. Serves issuers, underwriters, and investors across capital markets transactions.
• Investment Funds Legal Services Legal services for fund formation, structure, investment execution, management, and liquidation across PE, venture capital, hedge funds, and investment fund regulations. Advises fund managers, sponsors, and investors across fund lifecycles.
• Tech/Innovation Legal Services Legal advisory on AI, generative AI, big data, PropTech, AR/VR, IoT, and BioTech including regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and data protection matters. Serves startups, tech companies, and enterprises deploying emerging technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Consistent top-tier rankings by Chambers & Partners (2019-2026), Legal 500 (2022-2026), and Best Lawyers (2021-2027)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GBBC (Global Blockchain Business Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025So Saito serves as GBBC Ambassador, participating in international blockchain business initiatives and contributing to the International Journal of Blockchain Law publication.
• Metaverse Japan AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022So Saito serves as Association Auditor, contributing to the development of Japan's metaverse industry standards and regulations.
• Japan STO AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019So Saito serves as Auditor and Public Director of the Japan STO Association, providing regulatory guidance for security token offerings in Japan.
• Japan Blockchain Association (Japan Authority of Digital Assets)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014So Saito serves as Legal Advisor to the Japan Blockchain Association, contributing to industry policy development and regulatory discussions.
• International Token Standardization Association (ITSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoerg Schmidt serves as Ambassador of ITSA in Tokyo, contributing to international token standardization efforts.
• Curvegrid Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for blockchain and Web3 legal advisory collaboration with Curvegrid Inc.
• HashPort, Inc.minorOthersSo Saito serves as Corporate Auditor, providing oversight and governance support.
• HashPalette, Inc.minorOthersSo Saito serves as Corporate Auditor, providing governance oversight.
• Topaz Capital, Inc.minorOthersSo Saito serves as Corporate Auditor.
• LiB Consulting Co., Ltd.minorOthersSo Saito serves as Corporate Director and Audit Committee Member.
• Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment CorporationminorOthersSo Saito serves as Supervisory Director.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TMI Associates: TMI Associates is a major Japanese full-service law firm widely recognized for its deep technology, FinTech, and IP practices. It competes with So & Sato for tech and FinTech mandates in Japan but offers a much broader bench and overseas offices, making it a larger incumbent in the same niche.
• Nishimura & Asahi: Nishimura & Asahi is the largest Japanese law firm and So Saito spent 16 years there before founding So & Sato. It maintains a substantial FinTech, funds, and capital markets practice that directly overlaps with So & Sato's positioning, especially for large-cap and cross-border matters.
• Mori Hamada & Matsumoto: Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is one of Japan's "Big Five" law firms with strong FinTech, financial regulation, and capital markets practices. It serves many of the same listed Japanese corporates, financial institutions, and FinTech clients as So & Sato, but with substantially greater resources and international reach.
• Anderson Mori & Tomotsune: Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is another Big-Five Japanese firm with established FinTech, financial regulation, and M&A practices. It competes for the same institutional and listed-company clients, and has developed crypto/Web3 advisory capabilities relevant to So & Sato's niche.
• King & Wood Mallesons (Tokyo): King & Wood Mallesons' Tokyo office is where Yuki Sato was previously a partner. As a global firm with strong Japan presence in M&A, capital markets, and cross-border transactions, it is a competitor for the same inbound Japan-entry and cross-border M&A mandates that So & Sato targets.
• Bird & Bird: Bird & Bird is an international law firm with a recognized FinTech, blockchain, and technology sector focus. It competes for the same crypto/Web3 and tech company advisory work globally, and many of its clients operating in Japan may choose between it and So & Sato for local counsel work.
• Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe: Orrick is a global law firm with a leading FinTech, blockchain, and crypto practice. It serves many of the same international crypto and Web3 clients that So & Sato serves in Japan, often as international co-counsel, making it both a competitor and a potential referral partner.

Direct peers

• Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners: Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is a Japanese boutique with comparable specialization in corporate, M&A, FinTech, and venture/startup advisory. It serves a similar mix of startups, financial institutions, and listed corporates, making it a closely comparable peer in the Japanese mid-market legal space.
• Atsumi & Sakai: Atsumi & Sakai is a mid-sized Tokyo law firm known for its FinTech, financial services regulation, and funds practices. It is one of the closest direct comparables to So & Sato in size and FinTech specialization, also frequently ranked in Legal 500 FinTech and Investment Funds categories.
• Hibiya Sogo Law Office: Hibiya Sogo is a Tokyo-based law firm active in FinTech, securities, and financial regulation. It is comparable to So & Sato as a mid-size Japanese firm serving similar financial services, securities, and tech clients with boutique-level service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soandsato

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about So & Sato Law Offices