Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
Yen Weakens to 160 Per Dollar as Middle East Tensions Drive Flight to Safety
The yen weakened to 160 per dollar on April 29 amid U.S.-Iran tensions, its lowest level in three weeks. The decline reduces purchasing power for expa...
Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Move Toward Capital Alliance
Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings are finalizing a capital alliance, reflecting regional bank consolidation trends. The partnership aims to strengt...
Rice Prices in Japan Expected to Drop Due to High Inventory Levels
Rice prices in Japan are expected to fall over the next three months due to high inventory levels. Industry outlook index at 27 signals continued down...
Major Japanese Banks Push Variable Housing Loan Rates Above 1%
Four major Japanese banks raised variable housing loan rates above 1% starting April 2026, affecting new borrowers. Expats should review existing mort...
Insurance Scandal: Sony Life, Prudential Employees Borrowed Billions from Clients
Former employees at Sony Life and Prudential borrowed billions of yen from clients, with half still unpaid. The scandals highlight risks for expats wh...
Rakuten Reports Record Sales But 7th Straight Annual Loss
Rakuten Group posted a 177.8 billion yen loss for its seventh straight year despite record sales, driven by mobile network investments. Core services ...
Insider Trading Scandal Rocks Nidec TOB as Dow Hits Historic Milestone
Tokyo prosecutors arrested a fourth person in Nidec insider trading case while Japanese corporate earnings held steady. The Dow hit 50,000 as global m...
Toyota Appoints New CEO as Japanese Automakers Face Tariff Pressures
Toyota reaches historic 50 trillion yen revenue while appointing new CEO, as SUBARU faces 70% profit decline from tariffs and Kirin sells U.S. whiskey...
Market Volatility and Corporate Shake-ups Challenge Expat Portfolios
Market turbulence affects expat investors as Japanese corporations restructure, the yen weakens to 156 per dollar, and AI concerns shake tech stocks, ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...