Japan

Crypto / Digital Assets

Japan: Cabinet Approves Bill to Allow VC Investment in Crypto

By Editors | 20/02/2024

The move is expected to enable VC firms to engage in projects that exclusively deal with crypto issuance, such as Web3 startups.

Securities / Derivatives

Japan to Allow Mutual Funds to Invest in Unlisted Shares

By Mark Johnston | 19/02/2024

The move will allow retail investors to buy into early stage startups, which will also gain access to more funding prior to an IPO.

ESG / Sustainability

Japan Becomes First Sovereign to Issue Climate Transition Bonds

By Editors | 15/02/2024

Japan sold JPY 800 billion of 10-year climate transition bonds and plans to sell a further tranche of 5-year bonds later this month.

Enforcement

Major Japan Insurers Directed to Divest ‘Strategic Shareholdings’

By Editors | 14/02/2024

The FSA suspects that the competitive environment may have been distorted by the practice of insurers’ holding shares in client companies.

Market Infrastructure

EU, Japan Sign Protocol on Cross-border Data Flows

By Editors | 01/02/2024

The protocol provides legal certainty that data flows between the EU and Japan will not be hampered by data localisation requirements.

Securities / Derivatives

SGX Marks New Milestone with First Active ETF Listing

By Ranamita Chakraborty | 01/02/2024

The launch of the new AI-powered active ETF, managed by Lion Global Investors and Nomura Asset Management, was announced last month.

Crypto / Digital Assets

BOJ to Catalogue Legal Issues for CBDC by April

By Editors | 31/01/2024

BOJ and Ministry of Finance officials held a meeting to discuss the legal issues that need to be resolved for the issuance of a CBDC.

Enforcement

Japan FSA Issues Orders to Insurance Major Over Fraud Scandal

By Editors | 29/01/2024

Sompo Japan Insurance is required to draw up an improvement plan including steps to change its corporate culture, enhance customer protection, and improve governance.

AML / KYC

Japan FSA Proposes to Add Jurisdictions to Travel Rule

By Editors | 27/01/2024

Eight countries were added, including the UAE, India, Indonesia, the UK, Estonia, Nigeria, Bahrain, and Portugal.