Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
Japan Launches Police-Bank Partnership to Combat Surging Fraud Losses
Japan is establishing a Financial Crime Prevention Center bringing police and bank staff together to track and recover fraud losses. The initiative ad...
December 20, 2025
BOJ Rate Hike to 0.75% Sparks Yen Slide to 157 Per Dollar
The BOJ raised rates to 0.75%, but the yen weakened to 157 per dollar as markets expect slow future hikes. Variable mortgage rates will rise while cur...
December 19, 2025
Bank of Japan Rate Hike to 0.75% Signals New Era for Expat Finances
Bank of Japan's expected rate hike to 0.75% on December 19 will affect expat savings returns, loan payments, and currency exchange rates, marking Japa...
December 18, 2025
Bank of Japan Poised for Rate Hike: What It Means for Your Wallet
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise interest rates to 0.75%, the highest in 30 years, affecting savings returns, loan costs, and currency exchange ...
December 17, 2025
Japan's Supplementary Budget Passes Amid Rice Price Support Debate
Japan's supplementary budget passed December 16, 2025, with most localities rejecting proposed rice coupons for alternative support. Rice reserve syst...
December 16, 2025
Megabanks Pledge ¥2 Trillion to Rapidus as Yen Strengthens on Fed Rate Cut
Japan's megabanks pledged up to ¥2 trillion to semiconductor maker Rapidus while the yen strengthened following the Fed's rate cut, causing export sto...
December 11, 2025
Japan Expands NISA Tax Benefits and Reforms Agricultural Bank Oversight
Japan is removing age restrictions on NISA tsumitate accounts and considering allowing minors to participate. Separately, Norinchukin Bank will add ex...
December 9, 2025
Japan's Multi-Debt Crisis Surges as Interest Rates Climb to 18-Year Highs
Japan faces a dual financial crisis with multi-debt borrowers up 30% to 1.47 million and interest rates hitting 18-year highs. Expats should review de...
December 6, 2025
Rising Rates and Real Estate Fraud: What Japan Residents Need to Know
Japan's interest rates hit 18-year highs at 1.95%, increasing mortgage costs, while construction companies fraudulently impersonate condo residents to...
December 5, 2025
Japan Tightens Bank Security Amid Fraud Surge and Regional Consolidation
Japan is implementing stricter bank account verification requiring IC chip documents like My Number Cards, while expanding subsidies for regional bank...
December 4, 2025
AI Wealth Management and Japanese Robotics Attract Major Investment
US wealth platform Range raises $60M for AI financial services while Tokyo's Mujin secures 36.4B yen for robotics, highlighting investment trends in f...
December 3, 2025
Japan Overhauls Financial System: NISA Expansion, Crypto Rules, and Banking Shifts
Japan plans to remove NISA age limits for long-term investments, classify cryptocurrencies as regulated financial products with new protections, and i...
December 2, 2025
Securities Account Hijacking Scheme Targets Japan Investors
Two suspects arrested for hijacking securities accounts and manipulating low-priced stocks, raising 100 million yen through fraudulent trades and asse...
November 29, 2025
Foreign Investment in Tokyo Real Estate Surges as Yen Weakens
Foreign investment in Tokyo real estate is surging, led by Taiwanese and Chinese buyers, while the yen fluctuates and digital payment systems expand, ...
November 25, 2025
Yen Weakens to 157 Per Dollar as Japan Signals Possible Intervention
The yen weakened to 157 per dollar on November 21, prompting Finance Minister Katayama to warn that government intervention is under consideration. Th...
November 21, 2025
Japan's October Inflation Reaches 3.0% as Food and Energy Costs Rise
Japan's inflation hit 3.0% in October, driven by food and energy costs. Rice prices dropped slightly, while the government plans 5.3% wage increases f...
November 21, 2025
Economic Pressures Mount as Japan Faces Utility Subsidies and Market Volatility
Japan introduces 7,000 yen utility subsidies starting January 2025 amid market concerns about fiscal expansion. The yen weakens to 10-month lows while...
November 19, 2025
Yen Plunges to Historic Low Against Euro as Japan's Economy Contracts
The yen hit a historic low of 180 per euro on November 17 as Japan's economy contracted 1.8% in Q3, creating significant financial implications for ex...
November 17, 2025
Japan's Major Banks Hit Record Profits Amid Rising Interest Rates
Japan's three major banks achieved record interim profits driven by rising interest rates, while a Fukushima credit union faces regulatory action for ...
November 14, 2025
Japan's Digital Shift: Streamlined Address Changes and AI Banking Arrive
Japan launches unified online address change system from November 17, while MUFG partners with OpenAI for AI banking services, promising easier admini...
November 12, 2025
Yen Weakens to 154 Per Dollar as Nikkei Surges Past 52,000 for First Time
The yen weakened to 154 per dollar while the Nikkei closed above 52,000 for the first time on October 31st, 2025, driven by diverging monetary policie...
October 31, 2025