ESG
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and its consolidated subsidiary, MUFG Bank, have entered into an investment agreement with Greenprint Technologies, a company that operates digital platform for sustainability reporting and data. As a result of this agreement, MUFG has become one of the seed round investors. Established in Oct 2023, Gprnt
crypto
While the Metaplanet story is widely understood by now, especially since it is largely a replication of the (Micro-)Strategy "Bitcoin Treasury" model (see "Metaplanet's fiscal year 2024 results", and "Metaplanet announces 2025-2026 Bitcoin Plan"), Remixpoint is only now getting traction in
japan
When Mizuho released its earnings announcement on May 15, the market response was rather muted, with the closing price down 2% on May 16th while the TOPIX was flat, despite a positive surprise: the introduction of a new shareholder return strategy focused on increasing dividends and targeting a payout ratio
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
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