Financial Services
Latest news and updates on financial services for expats in Japan
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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%...
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'...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...