Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
Nikkei Soars to Record High as Yen Weakens and BOJ Begins ETF Sales
The Nikkei hit a record 54,720 on February 3 amid yen weakness, while the BOJ began selling its ETF holdings. These developments significantly impact ...
February 3, 2026
Japan's Economy in Focus: Stable Jobs, Rising Prices, Record Egg Costs
Japan's December unemployment held steady at 2.6% with improving job openings, while Tokyo inflation reached 2% in January. Egg prices hit record high...
January 30, 2026
Rising Costs Hit Japan: Utilities, Gold, and Rice Prices Surge
Utility bills rise in February despite subsidies due to fuel costs. Gold hits record 30,000 yen per gram. Rice imports surge 96-fold as domestic price...
January 29, 2026
Yen Volatility Intensifies as US Treasury Rules Out Market Intervention
The yen fluctuated sharply on January 28, ranging from 152 to 154 per dollar, as US Treasury Secretary Bessent denied market intervention while Presid...
January 28, 2026
Major Bank Fraud Ring Used Fake MyNumber Cards to Steal ¥600 Million
Police arrested four suspects who used fake MyNumber cards to open 160+ bank accounts and commit ¥600 million in fraud. The group distributed cards ac...
January 28, 2026
Yen Surges Nearly 5 Yen Against Dollar Amid Intervention Fears
The yen strengthened nearly 5 yen to 153 per dollar on January 26 amid intervention fears, triggering a 1,100-point Nikkei drop. Gold hit $5,000/ounce...
January 26, 2026
Yen Surges Past 155 Per Dollar on Japan Intervention Speculation
The yen surged over three yen against the dollar on January 23-24, reaching mid-155 range, as speculation mounted about coordinated Japan-U.S. rate ch...
January 24, 2026
Japan's Public Pensions Rise 2%, But Inflation Eats Away Real Value
Japan's public pensions will rise 1.9-2.0% in April 2026, but with inflation at 3.1%, recipients face a real purchasing power decline of over 1%, requ...
January 23, 2026
Yen Surges Amid Intervention Fears and Rising Interest Rates
The yen surged over two yen against the dollar on January 23 amid intervention fears and volatile trading. Long-term interest rates rose sharply, prom...
January 23, 2026
Japan Welcomes Record 42.68 Million Foreign Visitors, Spending Hits ¥9.45 Trillion
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million foreign visitors in 2025, generating ¥9.45 trillion in spending. The tourism boom has energized the economy and ...
January 21, 2026
Market Turmoil: Rising Rates and Yen Weakness Threaten Expat Savings
Japan's interest rates hit 27-year highs while the yen weakened and global stocks plunged on January 20, creating financial uncertainty for expats man...
January 20, 2026
Japan's Long-term Interest Rates Hit 27-Year High Amid Economic Shifts
Japan's 10-year bond yields hit 2.275%, the highest since 1999, while over 80% expect continued inflation. The shifts affect mortgages, savings, and c...
January 19, 2026
Insurance Fraud and Email Scams Expose Financial Vulnerabilities in Japan
Over 100 Prudential Life employees defrauded 500+ customers of 3.1 billion yen, while a separate email scam cost one company 100 million yen, exposing...
January 16, 2026
Japan's Economic Landscape: TSMC Profits Soar While Gas Prices Drop
Gasoline prices drop for ninth week to 155.1 yen/liter while corporate goods inflation rises 3.2%. TSMC reports record profits, yen strengthens, and m...
January 15, 2026
Japan's Markets Surge to Record Highs Amid Political Uncertainty
Japan's stock market hit record highs above 54,000 yen while the yen weakened and interest rates reached 27-year peaks amid speculation of political c...
January 14, 2026
Japan's Markets Surge as Election Speculation Drives Yen to 159 Per Dollar
Japan's yen fell to 159 per dollar amid election speculation, while stocks hit record highs and interest rates reached 27-year peaks. These shifts aff...
January 13, 2026
Rice Prices Hit Record Highs as Winter Bonuses Reach New Peak
Rice prices reached a record ¥4,416 per 5kg in early January 2025, while winter bonuses at major firms hit ¥957,184. Household spending increased 2.9%...
January 9, 2026
Yen Weakens to 158 Per Dollar: What Foreign Residents Need to Know
The yen weakened to 158 per dollar on January 9, its lowest level in nearly a year, driven by strong U.S. employment data and uncertainty about Japan'...
January 9, 2026
Japan's Markets Surge as Interest Rates Hit 27-Year High
Japan's stock market hit a two-month high while long-term interest rates reached 27-year peaks. Major corporate investments and currency movements sig...
January 6, 2026
Japan's Financial Markets Start 2026 Strong Amid Rate Hikes and Yen Weakness
Japan's markets opened 2026 with stocks surging past 52,000, interest rates hitting 27-year highs at 2.125%, and the yen weakening against the dollar ...
January 5, 2026
BOJ Rate Hike Signals Strengthen Yen, Impact Stock Markets
The yen strengthened against the dollar on December 29, 2024, while Japanese stocks fell as markets anticipated continued BOJ rate hikes, directly imp...
December 29, 2025
Rising Prices and Bank Rate Hikes: Financial Changes Ahead for Japan Residents
Japan Post Bank raises savings rates to 0.3% from February 2025, but 3,500 food items face price increases. Rice and egg prices hit record highs while...
December 26, 2025
Japan's Retail Sector Faces Regulatory Scrutiny and Market Shifts
Japan's Fair Trade Commission penalized Ropia for labor violations, while utility prices drop in January due to government subsidies. Rice imports sur...
December 25, 2025
Japan's Interest Rates Hit 26-Year High as BOJ Signals More Hikes Ahead
Japan's long-term interest rates reached 2.1%, the highest in 26 years, as the BOJ signals continued rate hikes. Foreign residents should prepare for ...
December 22, 2025
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