stablecoin
MUFG Bank, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation, and Progmat have announced that their joint stablecoin (SC) issuance and advanced cross-border settlement for a Mitsubishi Corporation proof-of-concept have both been approved to receive support from the Financial Services Agency of Japan’s FinTech PoC
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-sixth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. A couple of items from the rumor mill, as they seem to have escaped the inner circle of confidentiality. First, Revolut is working on obtaining a banking license in Japan. Prior to being sanctioned with a business improvement
quantum computing
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, SMBC Digital Marketing Corporation, and Quanmatic jointly conducted a proof-of-concept experiment on "app advertisement analysis using quantum computing" aimed at advancing advertisement distribution in smartphone applications. Background and Purpose Quantum computing is a next-generation computational technology, currently used mainly in hybrid combination with conventional
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-fifth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. There is a fair chance that you have read more than your fair share of characterizations of what Takaichi is and is not, and what her policies will or will not be. As always, we encourage you to
banking
S&P Global Ratings recently hosted a webinar, "Corporate Japan’s Cross-Border Funding Enhance Financial Flexibility," focusing on the drivers, credit implications, and the relationship between corporates and domestic banks. The webinar also included coverage of new issuers, which we have excluded from this reporting on the
regional bank
MILIZE announces the introduction of a life plan simulation function developed by the company into the "Chibagin App," a smartphone application provided by The Chiba Bank. Background of Implementation In recent years, personal life planning has become an increasingly important issue due to rapid social changes and the
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-fourth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. Another day, another record high for the Nikkei 225 - by the time I hit sent on this weekly report, we might well have crossed the 50,000 index level for the first time. Obviously, one of the
banking
In a significant signal that global financial giants are eager to establish regulated footing in the U.S. digital asset market, Sony Bank has formally applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. Dated October 6, 2025, the application outlines plans
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-third edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. What a difference a week makes! For last week's edition, it seemed a foregone conclusion that Takaichi, coming fresh off her victory in the LDP presidential election, would become Japan's first female prime minister.
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-second edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. What a difference a year makes! After last year's LDP leadership election, which Ishiba won in a run-off against Takaichi, the TOPIX sold off -3.5% and the Japanese Yen strengthened from ¥146 to below ¥142
regional banks
The Chiba Bank and The Chiba Kogyo Bank have jointly declared their resolution to pursue a management consolidation. This strategic move, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aims to establish a new bank holding company that will serve as the wholly-owning parent of both institutions. The
venture capital
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), MUFG Bank, and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB) have announced that they would establish an equity fund to principally invest in middle and later-stage startups (growth companies) in Japan. For Japan’s sustainable economic growth, it is essential to create and develop startups.