Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
Yen Strengthens to 154 Per Dollar, Highest Level Since February
The yen strengthened to 154 per dollar on September 7th, its highest since February. This affects expats' purchasing power, international transfers, a...
Long-Term Interest Rates Breach 3% Barrier: What Expats Need to Know
Japan's 10-year bond yields surpassed 3% on September 2, driven by inflation concerns and BOJ rate hike expectations. Housing loan consultations are s...
Japan's Interest Rates Hit 30-Year High as Major Banks Raise Mortgage Rates
Japan's long-term interest rates reached a 30-year high of 2.955% in September 2026, prompting Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui banks to raise varia...
Major Supermarkets Cut Prices as Japanese Consumer Spending Weakens
Major Japanese supermarkets including Aeon are cutting prices on hundreds of items as consumer spending weakens. The limited-time campaigns offer expa...
Auto Insurance Premiums Rising: Sompo Japan Announces 5% Increase
Sompo Japan will raise auto insurance premiums by 5% from January 2027 due to rising repair costs. Other major insurers are expected to implement simi...
Japan's Long-Term Interest Rates Hit 30-Year High Amid Global Tensions
Japan's long-term interest rates reached 2.93% on August 17, the highest in 30 years, driven by inflation concerns and Middle East tensions. This affe...
Bank of Japan Signals Faster Rate Hikes as Inflation Pressures Build
The Bank of Japan's July meeting minutes reveal growing support for faster interest rate increases due to inflation concerns, potentially affecting ex...
Japan's Record ¥6.2 Trillion Currency Intervention: What Expats Need to Know
Japan executed a record ¥6.2 trillion single-day currency intervention on April 30, 2024, to strengthen the yen. This historic action affects expat pu...
Japan and US Launch Rare Joint Currency Intervention to Halt Yen's Fall
Japan and the US conducted rare coordinated currency interventions from July 30-August 1, 2026, to halt the yen's historic decline. The first such joi...
Japan and US Launch Coordinated Currency Intervention to Stabilize Yen
Japan and the U.S. launched their first coordinated currency intervention since 1998 to halt historic yen depreciation. The move affects expats' purch...
August Electricity and Gas Bills to Drop Thanks to Government Subsidies
Major electricity and gas providers will lower rates in August due to government subsidies offsetting energy price increases. The reductions will auto...
Payment Provider Zentoshin Bankruptcy Disrupts Restaurants Nationwide
Payment processor Zentoshin's bankruptcy is disrupting restaurants nationwide. METI and Financial Services Agency are investigating the company and it...
Yen Weakens to 163 Per Dollar Amid Middle East Crisis and Oil Surge
The yen weakened to 163 per dollar on July 22 due to Middle East tensions and rising oil prices, reducing purchasing power for expats while authoritie...
Yen Plunges to 163 Per Dollar, Lowest in Nearly 40 Years
The yen fell to 163 per dollar on July 21, its weakest in nearly 40 years, driven by Iran tensions. The decline significantly impacts expats' purchasi...
Apple Raises iPhone Prices in Japan by 10% Amid Yen Weakness
Apple increased iPhone prices in Japan by approximately 10% on July 18, 2026, due to yen weakness. Even budget models now exceed 100,000 yen, promptin...
Historic Yen Weakness: 61% of Japanese See Negative Economic Impact
61% of Japanese see negative economic impact from historic yen weakness at 162 per dollar. Expats face reduced purchasing power, higher import costs, ...
Credit Card Processor Zentoshin Bankruptcy Leaves Businesses Without Funds
Payment processor Zentoshin's bankruptcy leaves thousands of businesses unable to access sales revenue. Government establishes 378 consultation center...
Major Payment Processor Zentoshin Bankruptcy Leaves 20,000 Merchants Unpaid
Payment processor Zentoshin's bankruptcy has left over 20,000 merchants unpaid and unable to accept cards. The company allegedly engaged in accounting...
Aflac Life Insurance Reports Data Breach Affecting 4.38 Million Customers
Aflac Life Insurance Japan reported a data breach affecting 4.38 million customers through unauthorized access to its policyholder portal. Personal in...
July Food Price Increases Hit 2,566 Products Amid Rising Living Costs
Over 2,566 food products will increase in price this July, continuing a five-year trend of annual increases exceeding 10,000 items. Middle East instab...