Japan FinTech Observer

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: NetStars announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, achieving its first full year of profitability since its public listing. Driven by a surge in domestic cashless adoption and rigorous technological cost controls, the company outperformed its own forecasts across all key profit metrics.👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Elliott Investment Management and Elliott Advisors (UK), which advise funds that together have a significant ownership stake in Toyota Industries Corporation, have published an open letter to the Company's shareholders; in the letter, Elliott outlined its opposition to the revised tender offer by Toyota Fudosan at ¥18,800 per share, which Elliott believes very significantly undervalues Toyota Industries; Elliott's analysis showed the Company's intrinsic net asset value to be more than ¥26,000 per share as of January 16, 2026 – almost 40% above the Revised TOB price – and that the Standalone Plan for Toyota Industries offers a clear path to a valuation of more than ¥40,000 per share by 2028👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: The Financial Services Agency (FSA) has released a comprehensive suite of draft Cabinet Orders and Ordinances related to the impending amendment of the Payment Services Act. Released on December 16, 2025, following the passage of the amendment law in June, these documents outline a sophisticated regulatory framework that touches upon stablecoins, crypto-asset intermediaries, and cross-border fund transfers.👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  FUNDINNO's IPO👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Crypto-Assets to be Reclassified under Securities Regulation, a report from the fifth meeting of the Financial System Council's Working Group on the Crypto Assets System👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  The Bank of Japan's October Monetary Policy Meeting👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  The LDP & Japan Innovation Party Coalition Agreement👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  " The Impact of Aging and AI on Japan's Labor Market," a working paper from the International Monetary Fund 👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  "Scaling Inclusive Transition Finance in the ASEAN Region," a report from the Japan Public-Private Partnership👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Nomura's Global Markets Franchise👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Tokyo making a significant return to the top 15 and Osaka showing steady progress in the latest GFCI👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Sanae Takaichi has been elected as LDP President👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Upper House elections could trigger JPY selling👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  NEDO's Innovation Outlook👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  Metaplanet's Bitcoin Treasury Strategy👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  MUFG's monthly outlook for the Japanese yen👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released the 2025 version of its annual White Paper on International Economy and Trade, which was presented to the Cabinet on June 27, 2025. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  A research report on LIFENET Insurance Company👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  MUFG's report on Asian currencies vs the USD👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  SMBC Acquires 20% Stake in YES BANK👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  The Japan Investment Corporation has published a "Current Survey on Japanese Startups' Overseas Expansion", currently only available in Japanese👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Progmat has commenced Phase 2 practical verification for "Project Pax," aimed at building a cross-border remittance infrastructure using stablecoins👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: QUICK has begun experimentally calculating and publishing a benchmark based on domestic yen-denominated Bitcoin trading prices from April 25, 2025, onwards👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Asset Management Nation 2.0👉 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Circle strengthens commitment to Japan with new investment and expanded USDC access👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Oki Matsumoto on the Coincheck opportunityThis is an extract of the Coincheck third quarter earnings call, adapted under Fair Use. Coincheck's investor relations page can be found here: https://www.coincheckgroup.com/financial-information/financial-results👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday: Digital Garage has acquired additional shares of Pocket Change, making it an equity method affiliate👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from JapanToday:  MUFG's record-breaking third-quarter results👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today:  The upside of Japan’s digital cliff 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today:  Keisuke Honda has secured a remarkable 15.3 billion yen (approximately $98 million US dollars) for his X&KSK Fund 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today:  In 2022, South Korea's per capita GDP surpassed Japan's for the first time on record, reaching 34,822 US dollars compared to Japan's 34,112 US dollars. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: The 7th meeting of the Financial System Council's Working Group on Payment Services was held, reviewing a draft of the working group's report to be published in 2025 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here: https://www.fintechobserver.com

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Resolution Life, a global life insurance group focusing on the acquisition and ongoing management of portfolios of life insurance policies, announced that Nippon Life has agreed to acquire 100% of the company 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: MUFG Innovation Partners invests in Kasanare 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: PitchBook's "Japan Private Capital Breakdown 2024" report delves into the key trends shaping the Japanese private capital landscape, highlighting the factors driving this robust performance and outlining the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: DMM Bitcoin will transfer customer accounts and deposited assets to SBI VC Trade, and plans to discontinue its business after the transfer is completed. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Four reasons why MUFG is acquiring WealthNavi. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Japan Smart Chain is the sovereign blockchain for Japan. It is a public Layer 1 Ethereum Equivalent blockchain validated entirely onshore by Japan’s industrial leaders. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Sony Financial Group has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of justInCase, a small-amount and short-term insurance provider, making it a subsidiary, subject to regulatory approvals. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: The Japanese Financial Services Agency (FSA) is exploring the creation of a new regulated entity specifically for cryptocurrency brokerages. Currently, any entity facilitating crypto transactions is subject to the same regulations as full-fledged exchanges, even if they only perform intermediary services. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Social trading app Woodstock is now available for foreign residents in Japan 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan Today: Global Brain and Tencent have co-led an additional investment in UPSIDER, provider of the corporate credit card “UPSIDER” and business payment solution “Shiharai.com.” 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. A little longer this time. Today: WealthNavi has reported earnings, and we are leaving the financials aside to leverage the business description into an AI-generated dialogue. WealthNavi is a robo-advisor company that offers automated investment management services to working families. Their investment in product development and technology has driven this growth, with the company focusing on developing a Money Advisory Platform that will offer holistic financial advice and solutions. Despite market turbulence, WealthNavi maintained a steady operating revenue and is on track to launch its Money Advisory Platform in 2025. Their partnership with MUFG Bank involves a capital injection and collaboration to expand their reach and services. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: Rakuten Bank’s first-half 2024 results are in, and they have blown past expectations. Profits are up significantly, and the bank has raised its full-year net profit guidance by a whopping 22%, from ¥37.8 billion to ¥46.2 billion. 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: SmartBank, provider of the prepaid card household budget app “B/43,” has completed its Series B round first close, raising 2.93 billion yen through a third-party allocation of shares 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: Mizuho Financial Group acquires 14.99% of Rakuten Card, creates broader business alliance 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: PayPay acquires Credit Engine 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: PayPay acquires Credit Engine 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: Money Forward demonstrated solid overall performance in Q3, with both net sales and EBITDA showing good progress towards achieving the full-year forecast 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

Bite-sized Finance and FinTech news from Japan. Today: Wise has become the first non-bank operating in Japan to be granted approval to join Zengin, Japan’s domestic payment network 👉 Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG