Japan FinTech Observer | Tontines | ex-Goldman & Barclays Tech MD
artificial intelligence
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Fujitsu announced a partnership to explore the creation of a data analytics business, designed to empower customers with enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency. The partnership comes after a joint project team formed by the two companies in 2024 conducted a survey of customer needs and
payments
Filippino conglomerate Ayala and Mitsubishi have executed an investment agreement for the Japanese multinational’s acquisition of a 6.5% stake in e-wallet giant GCash, according to a stock exchange filing. Mitsubishi will subscribe to 18.03 million common and redeemable preferred shares of AC Ventures Holding (ACV), which holds
venture capital
Granite Asia, a leading multi-asset investment platform focused on technology, and Integral Corporation (TSE:5842), Japan’s leading publicly listed private equity firm specializing in buyouts, announced the formation of Granite-Integral, a joint venture designed to invest in high-growth companies with a strong Japan nexus, empowering technology scale-ups expanding into
mergers & acquisitions
Gojo & Company has entered into an agreement to acquire an additional 16.6% stake in JSC Credo Bank from Triodos Microfinance Fund and Triodos Fair Share Fund (managed by Triodos Investment Management BV). This follows Gojo’s initial acquisition of 16.8% stake in December, bringing its total ownership
private equity
The Cool Japan Fund (CJF) has decided to invest up to 6 billion JPY in Japan Activation Capital II, a fund that invests in publicly listed Japanese companies that are committed to long-term, sustainable growth and corporate value creation, in collaboration with their management team based on a relationship of
security token
BOOSTRY has published the Japan Security Token Market Report for FY2024. In FY2024, Japan's security token market continued to expand, although the total amount of public security token offerings (STO) was limited to approximately 47% compared to the previous fiscal year, largely influenced by widespread caution surrounding discussions
stablecoin
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, TIS, Ava Labs, and Fireblocks have signed a basic agreement concerning joint exploration of stablecoin utilization with a view toward future commercialization. Overview of the Agreement SMBC Group, TIS, Ava Labs, and Fireblocks have formally agreed to begin joint exploration of stablecoin
weekly
Welcome to the one hundred fifth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. Happy new fiscal year! There were a few deals that still had to get done before the end of March, with insurance and regional banking being especially busy. Congratulations and best of luck to anyone who started a
mergers & acquisitions
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI), a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group, is entering into agreements with the founding family of W. R. Berkley (WRB) which entail an investment by MSI in shares of outstanding WRB common stock. WRB is a Fortune 500 Company and a leader in specialty insurance
regional bank
Shizuoka Bank, Yamanashi Chuo Bank, and Hachijuni Bank have concluded a comprehensive business alliance and launched the "Mt. Fuji & Alps Alliance." Shizuoka Bank and Yamanashi Chuo Bank launched the "Shizuoka-Yamanashi Alliance" in October 2020, and have been working to achieve sustainable growth in their regions
mergers & acquisitions
Chiba Bank has determined, through a resolution of the Board of Directors las week, to acquire the shares of Chiba Kogyo Bank from Ariake Master Fund, and it has entered into a share purchase agreement with Ariake in connection with the Share Acquisition. Chiba Bank also announced that the Share
venture capital
INCJ was established in September 2018 via company split from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ). INCJ was established in July 2009 with the aim of overcoming boundaries between companies and industries, creating and nurturing key industries via open innovation for the prosperity of future generations, and providing risk capital