Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
Yen Plunges to 162 Per Dollar: What Foreign Residents Need to Know
The yen hit 162 per dollar on June 30, its weakest in 39.5 years, driven by US-Japan interest rate differences. Expats face higher import costs but st...
Shareholder Activism Surges at Japanese Companies as Board Battles Intensify
Shareholder activism reached record levels at Japanese AGMs in June 2026, with investors challenging management at Nissan, KADOKAWA, and Rohto Pharmac...
Japanese Yen Hits 161 Per Dollar as Intervention Concerns Mount
The yen weakened to 161 per dollar, approaching a 40-year low. Finance Minister Katayama confirmed Japan-U.S. agreement on potential intervention, cre...
Yen Hits 39-Year Low as Japan, U.S. Hold Emergency Currency Talks
The yen fell to 161.90 per dollar on June 22nd, its weakest in 39 years, prompting emergency talks between Japanese and U.S. finance officials amid gr...
Japan's Banks Prepare for AI Cyber Threats with Possible ATM Shutdowns
Japan's banking sector is preparing for AI-powered cyberattacks with potential ATM and service suspensions. The Japanese Bankers Association announced...
Yen Plunges to 161 Per Dollar: What Expats Need to Know
The yen fell to 161 per dollar on June 18, its weakest in nearly two years, driven by Fed rate hike expectations. This impacts expats' purchasing powe...
Bank of Japan Raises Rates to 1% - Highest Level Since 1995
The BOJ raised rates to 1%, the highest since 1995, to combat inflation from oil prices and yen weakness. Major banks will increase deposit rates to 0...
Bank of Japan Governor Ueda Hospitalized, to Miss Key Policy Meeting
BOJ Governor Ueda hospitalized June 9 for liver infection, expected two-week recovery. Will miss June 15-16 policy meeting but participate via written...
Bank of Japan Expected to Raise Interest Rates to 1% in June
The Bank of Japan is expected to raise rates to 1% on June 15, responding to inflation risks from oil prices and yen weakness. This will increase mort...
BOJ Governor Signals Rate Hike Possibility Despite Mideast Uncertainty
BOJ Governor Ueda signals potential interest rate hikes despite Middle East tensions, prioritizing domestic inflation concerns. The move could affect ...
Japan's Record 11.7 Trillion Yen Currency Intervention Impacts Expats
Japan's government spent a record 11.7 trillion yen strengthening the yen from 160 to 155 per dollar, affecting expat purchasing power, remittances, a...
Japan's Major Banks to Deploy OpenAI's Latest AI Model for Services
Japan's three megabanks will implement OpenAI's latest AI model for financial services, as announced by Financial Services Minister Katayama, potentia...
Rising Energy Costs Drive Price Increases for Home Goods and Summer Products
LIXIL will raise prices on home fixtures from August 2026 due to Middle Eastern tensions, while naphtha shortages threaten summer cooling product avai...
Middle East Crisis Triggers Price Hikes for Household Essentials in Japan
Middle East tensions are driving August 2026 price increases for paper products, diapers, and fertilizer in Japan. Major manufacturers cite rising raw...
Middle East Crisis Forces Calbee to Switch to Black-and-White Packaging
Calbee is switching some product packaging to black-and-white designs due to Middle East crisis disrupting ink and naphtha supplies, marking a visible...
Japan Deploys Estimated ¥4-5 Trillion in Golden Week Currency Intervention
Japan likely deployed ¥4-5 trillion in currency intervention during Golden Week, following April 30 action. Officials won't confirm but warn against s...
Yen Surges Past 155 Per Dollar in Suspected Market Intervention
The yen surged past 155 per dollar on May 6th in suspected government intervention, rising over 2 yen in 20 minutes. The movement affects expats' purc...
Yen Surges to 155 Range Against Dollar Amid Suspected Intervention
The yen surged to the 155 range against the dollar on May 4th amid suspected government intervention. Japan's Finance Minister declined to comment, wh...
Japan Conducts ¥5 Trillion Currency Intervention to Stabilize Yen
Japan's government and central bank conducted an estimated ¥5 trillion currency intervention on April 30, strengthening the yen from ¥157 to ¥155 per ...
Japan Intervenes in Currency Markets as Yen Plunges to 160 Per Dollar
Japan intervened in currency markets on April 30th after the yen hit 160 per dollar, pushing it back to the 155-156 range. The move affects expats' pu...