supervision
The Financial Services Agency (FSA) reported on its meetings held with Japan's financial industry associations during July 2025, outlining its key priorities and concerns. I. Common Points Raised Across Associations These topics were consistently raised by the FSA in meetings with the life insurance, general insurance, securities, trust,
mergers & acquisitions
SOMPO Holdings, through its subsidiary Sompo International Holdings (SIH), has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Aspen Insurance Holdings. The Acquisition has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of SOMPO and of Aspen. Background of the Acquisition Under the Mid-Term
payments
au Payment and au Financial Services, both 100% owned and consolidated subsidiaries of au Financial Holdings, have decided to merge as of July 1, 2026 (scheduled) for the purpose of centralizing payment business strategy and accelerating business promotion. The intent is for an absorption-type merger with au Payment as the
crypto
Over the past week, there were two additional announcements regarding SBI Group's strategic expansion within the Japanese cryptocurrency market. These key developments include a new partnership between SBI VC Trade and Convano for large-scale Bitcoin operations and SBI FX Trade's launch of crypto CFDs, underpinned by
regional revitalization
The first meeting of the Financial System Council's Working Group on Strengthening Regional Financial Power was held on Friday, September 5, 2025, focusing on the evolving role of regional financial institutions in Japan's regional revitalization efforts and the profound implications of accelerating population decline on urban
venture capital
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), alongside the Development Bank of Japan, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank as well as nine other Japanese companies, has invested in Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a US-based start-up company in fusion space. This is the inaugural investment for SMBC in a fusion-related start-up company. The fusion
regulation
The second meeting of the Financial System Council's Working Group on Crypto Assets, held on September 2, 2025, highlights a significant push in Japan towards strengthening crypto asset regulation, primarily by considering a shift from the Payment Services Act (PSA) to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA)
asset management
SBI Holdings, SBI Securities, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and SMBC Nikko Securities announced on June 16, 2025, the establishment of a preparatory company to plan and provide new joint services, subject to approval by relevant authorities. They have now established Olive Consulting as the next step
bank of japan
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Deputy Governor Himeno provided insights into Japan's economic outlook, monetary policy, and regional economic conditions during a press conference and a speech in eastern Hokkaido on September 2, 2025. Given the next Monetary Policy Meeting taking place on September 18 & 19, 2025, we
corporate venture capital
Pointsville, a pioneering platform for digital asset infrastructure and loyalty, has completed its Series A funding round led by Valor Capital Group, with participation from an exceptional group of global investors and industry leaders. Backers include Tether, Itaú Unibanco's founding family, Nubank's co-founder, Temasek-backed Superscrypt, SNZ,
cashless
PayPay announced that WeChat Pay (微信支付) will become available for use at PayPay merchants nationwide through HIVEX starting from mid-September this year. “HIVEX®” offers common business rules, system integration for cashless payment providers (MPSP), and a consistent neutral brand, bringing greater scalability at a commercial level to deliver a better
stablecoin
Prior to the start of the Stripe Tour Tokyo main event, Stripe hosted a policy-themed breakfast discussion to explore the transformative potential of stablecoins, bringing together representatives from finance, technology, and regulatory bodies. The session provided a deep dive into the past, present, and future of this emerging financial technology,