“Masuda is not only at the forefront, but is also a ‘fortune teller’.”
Asia Business Law Journal, 2024
Introduction
Masafumi Masuda is a TMT/Fintech/IP partner in Tokyo office.
As the founder of IT Practice Group of Mori Hamada, he leads emerging practices such as AI and the Metaverse. After serving as a deputy director at the Financial Services Agency of Japan (2018-2020), he has also advised on financial regulations related to blockchain/Web3. He has been recognized as an opinion leader of such cutting-edge technology fields.
Masafumi began his career as an IP lawyer in 2008, focusing on digital content-related matters, and worked for the Media Content Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (2009-2010) as the first lawyer secondee of the division. The Nikkei recognised him as one of the leading practitioners in their most recent IP lawyer survey.
As the founder of IT Practice Group of Mori Hamada, he leads emerging practices such as AI and the Metaverse. After serving as a deputy director at the Financial Services Agency of Japan (2018-2020), he has also advised on financial regulations related to blockchain/Web3. He has been recognized as an opinion leader of such cutting-edge technology fields.
Masafumi began his career as an IP lawyer in 2008, focusing on digital content-related matters, and worked for the Media Content Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (2009-2010) as the first lawyer secondee of the division. The Nikkei recognised him as one of the leading practitioners in their most recent IP lawyer survey.
Practices
Seminars
- July 25, 2024 (Thu) 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m."AI and Web3 technologies for building growth and trust"
- November 03, 2022 (Thu) 14:30～15:00"Policy Trend and Current Discussion on Metaverse in Japan"
- September 07, 2021 (Tue)"Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) Challenges"
Major Awards
- Listed, Japan's Top 100 Lawyers, Asia Business Law Journal (2024-)
- Ranked, Chambers FinTech (2024-)
- Ranked, AI, Tech and Data, The Nikkei (2024)
- Ranked, Intellectual Property, The Nikkei (2022)
- Listed, Fintech Practice, The Best Lawyers in Japan (2021-)
- Listed, Information Technology Law, The Best Lawyers in Japan (2021-)
Profile
Background
The University of Tokyo (B. Eng., 2004)
Chuo Law School (J.D., 2007)
Media and Content Industry Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (in charge of systems) (2009-2010)
Stanford Law School (LL.M., 2016)
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago (2016-2017)
Singapore Office, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (2017-2018)
seconded to the Financial Markets Division of the Policy and Markets Bureau, Financial Services Agency (Special Officer) (2018-2020)
Specially appointed professor at the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University (part time position)（2023-）
Major Activities
- Secretariat of Creative Commons (2009-)
- Vice-Chairman of Text Notation System Development Committee, TTS Promotion Council, Japan Electronic Publishing Association (2010-)
- Member of Examination Committee for Institutional Issues Concerning Network Game Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2010-)
- Research Member of Research Studies Commitee for Facilitating Legal Structures Relating to Content, Digital Content Association of Japan (2010-)
- Auditor of Content Overseas Distribution Association (2010-2015)
- Consulting Fellow of IAA, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (2010-2013)
- Member of Examination Committee on Participatory Network Services, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2011)
- Lecturer, Training of Measurement and Geographic Space Information Management and Training of Information System Supply Administration, College of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (2011)
- Part-time Lecturer of Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo (2011-2012)
- Member of the Examination Committee on Issues Concerning Content Development, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2012-)
- Adviser for Japan Online Game Association (2012-)
- Member of Committee for Network Game Industry Environment Research, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2012-)
- Auditor of Japan Social Game Association (2012-2015)
- Member of Tokyo IP Inn, American Inns of Court (2013-)
- Committee Assistant, Independent Investigative Committee of Experts on Ball Standardization Issues, Nippon Professional Baseball (2013-)
- Lecturer at The Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA) (2014-)
- Mentor of TORANOMON HILLS INCUBATION CENTER "ARCH" (2020-)
- Partner of PMI Legal Community, Public Meets Innovation (2020-)
- Legal Counsel of the NFT Subcommittee, Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (2020-)
- Member of Study Group on Refinement of Regulations Utilizing Blockchain Technology, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) (2021)
- Adviser to Blockchain Collaborative Consortium (BCCC) (2021-)
- Expert Member of the Web3PT (formerly Project Team on Study of NFT Policy), Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (2022-)
- Adjunct Lecturer in the Degree Programs in Business Sciences, Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba (2022-)
- Member of Study Group on Constructing Web-3.0-Era Creator Economies, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2022)
- Member of Study Group on Utilization of the Metaverse, Etc. for the Web 3 Era, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2022)
- Member of Study Group on Revision of the Interpretative Guidelines on Electronic Commerce and Information Property Trading, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2022-)
- Expert Member of the Examination Task Force for the "Development of Basic Technology and Rules for the Expansion of Virtual Economy," Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, Cabinet Office (2022)
- Member of Public-Private Cooperation Council for Addressing New Legal Issues Concerning Contents, Etc. in the Metaverse, Cabinet Office (2022-)
- Member of the Study Group on the Creation of a Sound NFT Marketplace, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2022)
- Member of Tomoiki Metaverse Study Group, Kanagawa Charter for a Society Living Together in Harmony, Kanagawa prefecture (2022-)
- Member of The Intellectual Property Strategy Committee, The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2022-)
- Member of the Study Group on the Realisation of a Safe and Secure Metaverse, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2023-)
- Secretary of the Governance Subcommittee of the Research Group on Contents AI (2024-)
- Member of the Working Group on AI and Metaverse Front-line Research in the Field of HR, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2024-)
- Member of the Peer Review Committee for "the Development of Basic Technology and Rules for the Expansion of the Virtual Economy," Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, Cabinet Office (2024-)
- Auditor of NXJI (Next Japan Initiative) (2024-)
- Adviser to the Working Group on Web3, Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (2024-)
- Counsel of the Blockchain Game Subcommittee, Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (2024-)
- Special adviser of the Pilot Project for Building Digital Public Goods Using Web 3.0 & Blockchain, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (2025)
Qualifications & Affiliations
admitted in Japan, 2008; New York, 2017
membership: Daini-Tokyo Bar Association
membership: Daini-Tokyo Bar Association