Tokyo FinTech Association

Nomura will launch a global marketing tour titled "Japan’s Transformation" aimed at developing Japan's capital markets. Nomura will meet with investors globally to promote Japan's economic and corporate transformation, and entice investment into Japanese markets from around the world. Nomura will focus on five main themes on the tour to tackle misconceptions about Japan’s economy and corporations, and share Japan’s current reality: ?? Price and Wages: Transition from Deflation to Inflation ?? Labor Market: Transition from Illiquid to Liquid ?? Voting by Domestic Shareholders: Transition from Passive to Active ?? Corporate Balance Sheets: Transition from Inefficient Operations to Efficient Management ?? Household Asset Preferences: Transition from Safety First to Prioritizing Returns ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

MS&AD Insurance Group announced that at the Board of Directors meeting held on March 28, 2025, it was decided to proceed with specific discussions and preparations for the merger of two core non-life insurance companies within the group, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group and Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance. The target date for this merger is set for April 2027. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/gtFUzF2n

Jera and EDF Trading expand joint venture to include Japanese power JERA Co., Inc., EDF Trading and JERA Global Markets announced the expansion of JERAGM’s remit by its shareholders to include Japanese power trading. The respective Japanese power trading businesses of JERA and EDFT will be merged to operate alongside JERAGM’s global trading and optimization business. JERAGM is a joint venture between shareholders JERA (66.67%) and EDFT (33.33%) and the exclusive fuels optimizer for both shareholders.? ? This integration strengthens the long-standing cooperation between JERA and EDFT which was established in 2008 and draws from the complementary roles of JERA, as a leading utility in Japan, and EDFT’s in-depth knowledge and experience of the power markets in Europe and North America. ? This transaction will take effect from 1 April 2025. The integrated Japanese power trading activities are expected to benefit from JERAGM’s comprehensive trading platform, governance and risk management frameworks. The business will operate out of the Coredo Nihonbashi building in Tokyo with a team of over 50 diverse and experienced professionals driving and supporting the business. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG

European credit specialist AlbaCore Capital Group, a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (MUTB), has launched a new Senior Direct Lending Strategy, having secured anchor investments from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and MUTB. AlbaCore has successfully completed its first close, bringing together an expected $1.8 billion in investable capital. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/gKmcf6Hx

The SOMPO Institute Plus, the think tank of SOMPO Group, has published its quarterly outlook for the Japanese economy today. The report anticipates a continuation of moderate economic growth, driven by gradually improving real wages and solid corporate performance supporting business investment. However, external demand is expected to remain weak due to a slowdown in the global economy, particularly in the US and China. Inflation, as measured by the core CPI, is projected to decelerate over the forecast period. The outlook includes upward revisions for FY2024 GDP and CPI compared to the previous forecast (December 2024), but downward revisions for FY2025 GDP and upward revisions for FY2025 CPI. Key risks to the main scenario include an escalation of global trade wars and a sharp rise in domestic long-term interest rates, while upside risks involve an earlier-than-expected easing of goods price inflation and stronger wage growth in FY2026. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/gt2AbHdy

Guidelines for Practical Use of Data Using Secure Computation NTT Communications, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), NRI (Nomura Research Institute), NRIセキュアテクノロジーズ株式会社 / NRI SecureTechnologies, Ltd., and GMO CyberSecurity by Ierae have published the interim report on the "Guidelines for Data Utilization Using Secure Computation." The aim is to promote the understanding and utilization of secure computation to facilitate data sharing and utilization while addressing privacy and security concerns. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/g-J8cs4p

Sony-backed Japanese fan platform YOAKE entertainment partners with OpenSea on first NFT drop In conjunction with its first NFT drop, Japanese pop culture fan engagement platform YOAKE has announced a partnership with OpenSea, launching on OpenSea and Sony’s L2 blockchain?Soneium. As for YOAKE, the platform is created by YOAKE entertainment, a joint venture between four entertainment companies including Asobisystem, Twin Planet International, Y&N Brothers, and W TOKYO. Backed by Startale and Sony Group, it’s looking to become the primary onchain entertainment hub for Japanese pop culture. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/eNdxRCvX

Nippon Life Insurance Company/日本生命保険相互会社 funds Lazarus AI via AllegisNL Capital Lazarus AI has successfully secured participation from AllegisNL Capital into its convertible note financing. AllegisNL Capital (under Allegis Capital) is a venture capital fund supported by Nippon Life Group, investing in innovative companies at the intersection of technology and insurance or adjacent industries. AllegisNL Capital expects Lazarus AI's technology to further expand its reach into the Japanese insurance market where Nippon Life Insurance Company, Japan’s leading life insurance company, is headquartered. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/gVVKcBYC

OwlTing Group partners with GMO-Z.com Trust Company to enhance the accessibility to GYEN, the first regulated Japanese Yen stablecoin. This strategic move aims to provide users with diversified cross-border transaction options in one of the world’s major reserve currencies. By integrating GYEN and ZUSD (USD stablecoin) into the OwlTing's digital wallet, OwlPay? Wallet Pro, OwlTing will bridge traditional and digital finance, enabling businesses and individuals to leverage stablecoins for fast, low-cost global payments. ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/g-zg-rck

SBI Holdings will open the "SBI FinTech Center OSAKA" at the innovation support facility "JAM BASE" in the Umekita district on April 1st. SBI Holdings has been collaborating with Osaka Prefecture and City to realize the International Financial City concept through various initiatives, including: ?? Providing advisory services ?? Assisting in attracting overseas companies ?? Sponsoring the Osaka-Kansai Expo ?? Promoting digital regional currency initiatives in the Osaka region For fiscal year 2025, SBI Holdings is further demonstrating its commitment to Osaka Prefecture and City by establishing the "SBI FinTech Center OSAKA". ?? Subscribe to our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, the "Japan FinTech Observer", here:?https://lnkd.in/gNjUuSxG https://lnkd.in/gbg_pgAD