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
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
bonds
In a major move signaling rising credit costs in the Japanese market, Rakuten Group successfully priced a JPY 82 billion perpetual subordinated bond. Announced on October 17, 2025, the issuance carried the highest coupon for a local bond deal this year, immediately drawing significant attention from domestic and international investors.
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.
corporate venture capital
Raise Financial Services, the innovative fintech company behind the popular stock trading and investing platform Dhan, has successfully concluded a significant Series B funding round, raising an impressive $120 million. This latest investment propels the Mumbai-based company into the coveted unicorn club, with a post-money valuation of $1.2 billion.
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
artificial intelligence
Sakana AI will partner with Daiwa Securities in its first alliance with a securities firm. This collaboration brings together Daiwa Securities Group’s deep industry knowledge with Sakana AI’s cutting-edge AI technology. Daiwa has long focused on a client-first approach to asset management, looking at a customer’s total
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirty-first edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. We tried to have the publication of our weekly report co-incide with quarter-end (at least that is this week's excuse), and follow the first two trading days of the spun-out Sony Financial. After an indicative price
tokenization
SBI Digital Markets has successfully launched its first tranche of luxury wine structured notes in Korea and Thailand, with an exclusive selection of fine wines acquired directly from prestigious chateaus in Bordeaux and Burgundy, France, and Piedmont, Italy. The notes were fully subscribed in Korea by Kyobo Life Insurance and
quantum computing
SC Ventures by Standard Chartered Bank, which builds and invests in breakthrough ventures in and beyond banking, together with Fujitsu, a leading developer of quantum software and hardware, are set to join forces to incubate Project Quanta. The project will integrate multiple software and hardware technologies to provide clients a
Weekly
Welcome to the one hundred thirtieth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. Last week, the World Athletic Championships took place in Tokyo, putting the Olympic Stadium finally to the grand use it was designed for (including an audience!). Whether inspired by the athletic performances or not, the Bank of Japan