Insurance
Tokio Marine Holdings reported high growth for the fiscal year ending in March 2025. * Adjusted net income (excluding capital gains from sales of business-related equities) rose to JPY 608.9bn in FY2024, +JPY 27.9bn vs full year projections released in February (+6% YoY) mainly due to the positive impact
artificial intelligence
Naoyuki Fukuda at the Japan Research Institute has recently published a paper titled "Generative AI and the Japanese Economy: Reducing the Digital Deficit and Ensuring Economic Security". Key Takeaways and Arguments * Generative AI presents both significant opportunities and challenges for Japan. * Japan needs to reduce its reliance on
regional bank
In a January 2025 report, the Nikko Research Center analyzed the public disclosures of 99 regional banks - 10 internationally operating banks, 53 regional banks excluding the internationally operating banks, and 36 second-tier regional banks. Under various interest rate scenarios, the change in value of securities, loans, deposits, etc. was
stablecoin
JPYC announced that their previously issued prepaid payment instrument "JPYC Prepaid" will be treated as an electronic payment instrument starting June 1, 2025, following the required transition period after the amended Payment Services Act took effect on June 1, 2023. Handling of "JPYC Prepaid" from June
consumer finance
Credit Saison's financial results for fiscal year 2024 demonstrate a period of significant growth and strategic evolution. The company achieved record-high consolidated operating profit, reflecting strong performance across its core business segments and the positive impact of specific accounting factors. Overall, the company's diverse business model,
banking
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities (MUMSS) have launched MUMSS’ subsidiary, MUFG Morgan Stanley Credit Solutions, as previously announced in February. The market for private credit has been expanding, particularly in Europe and the United States, and is an alternative investment sector that has attracted
payments
PayPay will begin offering the virtual card "PayPay Balance Card," which can be issued on the PayPay app and used at online credit card member merchants. The "PayPay Balance Card" can be used at domestic online shopping and content websites that accept Visa credit cards, with
life insurance
Resolution Life has closed a further reinsurance transaction in Japan, its first block transaction since the announcement of Nippon Life’s proposed acquisition of Resolution Life. Resolution Life has entered into a reinsurance agreement with Anshin Life, a domestic life insurance subsidiary of Tokio Marine Holdings, a global insurance holding
payments
Digital Garage (DG) and its subsidiary handling payment services, DG Financial Technology (DGFT), have been jointly developing the next-generation payment platform "NESTA" with au Financial Services. The implementation of "NESTA" into the payment processing system for au/UQ mobile communication fees will begin within 2025. This
asset management
Mizuho Financial Group, Mercer Japan, and Mercer Investments Japan have entered into a strategic collaboration to offer Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services in Japan. In September 2024, Goldman Sachs, through its asset management division Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM), launched an OCIO business, and offered this service first to
venture capital
Headline Asia has closed its fifth and largest fund to date, Headline Asia Fund V, at USD 145 million. The fund will support a new generation of founders building in high-growth sectors including e-commerce, logistics, FinTech, IP and artificial intelligence—domains where Asia is setting new global standards. Headline Asia
banking
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) and its consolidated subsidiary, MUFG Bank, have entered into a partnership agreement with Sakana AI, an AI R&D company, and have retained Ren Ito, COO of Sakana AI, as AI Advisor. Under the partnership agreement, MUFG Bank and Sakana AI will establish a