Cutting through the noise in Japanese Finance & FinTech

Sumitomo Life Confirms Improper Data Acquisition by Seconded Staff; Target Set to Withdraw All Agency Secondees by March 2026

Sumitomo Life Insurance Company has released the findings of an internal investigation, confirming that employees seconded to independent insurance agencies engaged in the improper acquisition of sensitive business information. The investigation, which spanned operations from April 2022 through October 2025, revealed that seconded staff transmitted proprietary data back to Sumitomo

Japan FinTech Observer #150

Welcome to the one hundred fiftieth edition of the Japan FinTech Observer. The Japanese election completely overshadowed our monumental achievement of the 150th edition of the Japan FinTech Observer, while crossing 15,000 subscriber (on LinkedIn alone, ~20,000 across platforms) 😀 we remain humble, and truly appreciate your spending time

Mizuho Third Quarter Financial Results

Mizuho Financial Group’s performance through the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 represents a significant point in the Group’s medium-term trajectory. Achieving the 90% progress mark toward full-year profit targets as of December 31, 2025, Mizuho has established a formidable earnings buffer. This quarter serves as a vital

MUFG Third Quarter Financial Results

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) has demonstrated exceptional strategic resilience through the first nine months of FY2025, navigating a pivot in the domestic macroeconomic environment characterized by yield curve steepening and the initial stages of JPY net interest margin (NIM) expansion. The group’s revised net income target of ¥2.

SMBC and GoAhead Ventures Launch Video Platform to Boost Japanese Startups' Access to Capital

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group) is deepening its engagement with the global venture capital ecosystem, launching a new video pitch platform designed to connect Japanese seed-stage startups with institutional capital. The initiative, launched in collaboration with Silicon Valley-based GoAhead Ventures, aims to democratize access to funding by removing traditional

Japan Stablecoin Summit: What is the Biggest Barrier to Stablecoin Adoption?

At the second Japan Stablecoin Summit hosted by Pacific Meta, KDDI and Progmat, legal and industry experts gathered to dissect why stablecoin adoption has not yet matched the speed of legislative progress. The consensus was clear: while the laws are in place, the practical business environment remains restrictive, and a

Japan Stablecoin Summit: What Impact have Stablecoins had in the World?

At the second annual Japan Stablecoin Summit hosted by Pacific Meta, KDDI and Progmat, industry leaders from the Ethereum Foundation, Solana Foundation, Anchorage Digital, and Nethermind gathered to discuss the maturation of the digital asset landscape. The panel painted a picture of a sector that has graduated from speculative trading

SBI Holdings' Third Quarter Financial Results

SBI Holdings has reached a definitive tipping point in its evolution from an online brokerage pioneer to Japan’s dominant financial powerhouse. The 9M FY2025 results signal a successful "Beyond Brokerage" transition where the group’s diversified revenue engines now more than compensate for the elimination of trading

Japan Stablecoin Summit: Stablecoin Use Cases in Japan

As Japan solidifies its legal framework for stablecoins following the implementation of the revised Payment Services Act, the conversation has shifted from "can we do it?" to "how do we monetize it?" At the second Japan Stablecoin Summit, hosted on February 3, 2026, by Pacific Meta,

Japan Stablecoin Summit: Outlook for the Domestic Stablecoin Market in 2026

Pacific Meta, supported by KDDI and Progmat, hosted the second Japan Stablecoin Summit on February 3, 2026. This session discussed the domestic stablecoin market outlook for this year, with the following panelists: * Noritaka Okabe, CEO, JPYC (Issuer of yen-pegged stablecoin) * Yoshichika Imaizumi, Director for Blockchain and Innovation, Financial Services Agency

METI Reconvenes Panel to Clarify Takeover Guidelines Amid Shifts in Legal and Market Landscape

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is reconvening the Fair Acquisition Study Group, a move aimed at revisiting the country’s corporate takeover framework. The decision comes in response to growing concerns regarding market interpretation of existing rules and follows significant statutory changes to Japan’s financial

SBI Shinsei Bank's Third Quarter Financial Results

SBI Shinsei Bank has entered a decisive growth phase, characterized by robust double-digit increases across all primary profitability metrics for the nine-month period ending December 31, 2025. This performance must be contextualized within the broader shift in the Japanese financial sector as the Bank of Japan is normalizing the interest