blockchain
NTT East has selected SettleMint as the Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) platform to support its initiatives in regional public administration and local economic development. This collaboration marks a major step in NTT East’s commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to enhance regional services and strengthen digital transformation efforts. Matthew
artificial intelligence
MUFG has formulated the MUFG AI Policy, under which MUFG Group will safely and securely utilize AI through measures including implementing AI governance and dialogue with various stakeholders. This policy will support MUFG's aim to contribute to solving customer, economic, and social issues, and to sustainable development through
security token
TIS, a member of the TIS INTEC Group, and Kyoto Table Tennis Club have issued digital corporate bonds called "Kaguya Smile Token" through private placement, using TIS's platform "STLINK" which comprehensively supports the issuance and management of security tokens. Kyoto Table Tennis Club operates
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred third edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. The Bank of Japan meets for its Monetary Policy Meeting this week. The consensus is for no change in the policy rate. The Nikkei reports real wages down 1.8% in January, the first time in negative territory
credit card
The Japan Consumer Credit Association (JCA) has published the final version of, and outlined the key revisions to the Credit Card Security Guidelines, Version 6.0, focusing on enhancements to address evolving fraud risks and emerging technologies in the credit card payment ecosystem. The revisions are primarily aimed at strengthening
payments
In response to the advancement of financial digitalization, and to ensure user protection while promoting innovation, it is necessary to: * subject certain fund transfers involving the movement of funds from domestic to foreign locations or from foreign to domestic locations (where a person who has been entrusted by a creditor
supervision
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) annually establishes examination implementation policies. These policies are updated each year by the BOJ's Policy Board. In 2025, the policy document outlines the approach to onsite examinations and offsite monitoring of financial institutions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding changes in the financial
asset management
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and its subsidiary SMBC Global Investment & Consulting (SGIC) have announced that Ken Kobayashi has been appointed as President and Representative Director of SGIC effective April 1, 2025. By welcoming a professional with over 30 years of experience in the asset management field, SMBC Group aims
mergers & acquisitions
MUFG Bank and JACCS have been working together on group collaboration based on the alliance announced in 2008. Meanwhile, the business environment surrounding both companies has been changing rapidly, including changes in the financial environment and the advancement of digital transformation (DX). In response to these changes, while building upon
digital money
The Bank of Japan's Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (IMES) is conducting research on legal systems with a focus on digital money. In a newsletter published last week in Japanese, they have introduced some of their latest research findings. 1. What is Digital Money 2. Research Introduction
carbon credit
Asuene and SBI Holdings have made an additional investment of 300 million yen in Carbon EX, which operates a carbon credit and emissions trading exchange. In addition, Asuene has increased its investment ratio in Carbon EX to 51%, making it a consolidated subsidiary. The cumulative investment amount is now 400
capital markets
Nomura Research Institute, Nomura Securities, BOOSTRY, DeCurret DCP, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation collaborated on the issuance of a digital bond using a new settlement scheme, and executed a proof-of-concept for Japan's first securities settlement using digital currency. These steps would expand the market for digital securities and