Norbert Gehrke
@norbertgehrke.bsky.social
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has further solidified its foothold in the Southeast Asian market, announcing on Monday the acquisition of an additional 4.46% equity stake in the Philippines' Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-raises-...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-raises-...
December 23, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has further solidified its foothold in the Southeast Asian market, announcing on Monday the acquisition of an additional 4.46% equity stake in the Philippines' Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC).
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-raises-...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-raises-...
The Japan FinTech Observer for the week ending December 21, 2025 - Cutting through the noise in Japanese Finance & FinTech
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
December 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The Japan FinTech Observer for the week ending December 21, 2025 - Cutting through the noise in Japanese Finance & FinTech
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Startale, the Web3 fintech company and core developer behind the Soneium blockchain, has launched the Startale USD (USDSC), a new digital dollar designed to anchor the ecosystem’s financial infrastructure.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/case-study-s...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/case-study-s...
December 22, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Startale, the Web3 fintech company and core developer behind the Soneium blockchain, has launched the Startale USD (USDSC), a new digital dollar designed to anchor the ecosystem’s financial infrastructure.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/case-study-s...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/case-study-s...
MUFG Bank has formally adopted a data de-identification solution provided by Toronto-based Private AI to enhance its proprietary big data infrastructure, "OCEAN."
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-bank-in...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-bank-in...
December 22, 2025 at 2:53 AM
MUFG Bank has formally adopted a data de-identification solution provided by Toronto-based Private AI to enhance its proprietary big data infrastructure, "OCEAN."
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-bank-in...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-bank-in...
Smooth, a FinTech startup disrupting the Japanese real estate market with its initial-cost installment payment service, has successfully completed the first close of its Series B funding round.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smooth-secur...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smooth-secur...
December 22, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Smooth, a FinTech startup disrupting the Japanese real estate market with its initial-cost installment payment service, has successfully completed the first close of its Series B funding round.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smooth-secur...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smooth-secur...
JCB, Japan’s only international payment brand, has entered into a strategic AI partnership with IBM Japan to fundamentally restructure its core system development.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/jcb-taps-ibm...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/jcb-taps-ibm...
December 22, 2025 at 1:44 AM
JCB, Japan’s only international payment brand, has entered into a strategic AI partnership with IBM Japan to fundamentally restructure its core system development.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/jcb-taps-ibm...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/jcb-taps-ibm...
Transaction Media Networks (TMN) and digital currency operator DeCurret DCP have launched a strategic collaboration aimed at developing new settlement services for the distribution sector utilizing the digital currency DCJPY.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/tmn-taps-dec...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/tmn-taps-dec...
December 22, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Transaction Media Networks (TMN) and digital currency operator DeCurret DCP have launched a strategic collaboration aimed at developing new settlement services for the distribution sector utilizing the digital currency DCJPY.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/tmn-taps-dec...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/tmn-taps-dec...
Japan's new AI Basic Plan, released as a draft on December 19, is framed as a national "counteroffensive" designed to reverse a perceived lag in artificial intelligence investment and utilization.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/policy-brief...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/policy-brief...
December 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Japan's new AI Basic Plan, released as a draft on December 19, is framed as a national "counteroffensive" designed to reverse a perceived lag in artificial intelligence investment and utilization.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/policy-brief...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/policy-brief...
Released on December 18, 2025, the final report of the Financial Services Agency’s "Working Group on Strengthening Regional Financial Capabilities" outlines a comprehensive strategy to fortify Japan's regional banking sector.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-report-o...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-report-o...
December 21, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Released on December 18, 2025, the final report of the Financial Services Agency’s "Working Group on Strengthening Regional Financial Capabilities" outlines a comprehensive strategy to fortify Japan's regional banking sector.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-report-o...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-report-o...
NEDO's Strategic Analysis: the Untapped Potential of Proprietary Enterprise Data in AI
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nedos-strate...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nedos-strate...
December 21, 2025 at 1:45 AM
NEDO's Strategic Analysis: the Untapped Potential of Proprietary Enterprise Data in AI
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nedos-strate...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nedos-strate...
NTT DOCOMO, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, and SBI Sumishin Net Bank have decided to change the latter's trade name to "DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank" effective Monday, August 3, 2026. This name change is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-sumishin...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-sumishin...
December 20, 2025 at 7:10 AM
NTT DOCOMO, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, and SBI Sumishin Net Bank have decided to change the latter's trade name to "DOCOMO SMTB Net Bank" effective Monday, August 3, 2026. This name change is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-sumishin...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-sumishin...
Japan Post Bank has officially announced that it will be discontinuing the Yucho Pay service. While the service has been running since 2019, the bank has decided to wind down operations over the next year.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-post-b...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-post-b...
December 20, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Japan Post Bank has officially announced that it will be discontinuing the Yucho Pay service. While the service has been running since 2019, the bank has decided to wind down operations over the next year.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-post-b...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-post-b...
Japan’s Financial Services Agency took a decisive step toward tightening the reins on capital market misconduct today as the Financial System Council’s Market System Working Group convened to finalize its draft report.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-third-ma...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-third-ma...
December 19, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Japan’s Financial Services Agency took a decisive step toward tightening the reins on capital market misconduct today as the Financial System Council’s Market System Working Group convened to finalize its draft report.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-third-ma...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-third-ma...
MUFG Invests in Shriram Finance, a Leading Non-Banking Financial Company in India
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-invests...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-invests...
December 19, 2025 at 7:21 AM
MUFG Invests in Shriram Finance, a Leading Non-Banking Financial Company in India
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-invests...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mufg-invests...
SBI Holdings has taken the role of lead investor in the Series A funding round for Saladin Consulting and Technology. This investment was executed through the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund, a Singapore-based fund managed by the SBI Group.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
December 18, 2025 at 5:21 AM
SBI Holdings has taken the role of lead investor in the Series A funding round for Saladin Consulting and Technology. This investment was executed through the SBI-NTU-Kyobo Digital Innovation Fund, a Singapore-based fund managed by the SBI Group.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Amendments of the Payment Services Act Released for Public Comment
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/amendments-o...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/amendments-o...
December 18, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Amendments of the Payment Services Act Released for Public Comment
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/amendments-o...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/amendments-o...
Report on Currency and Monetary Control: Recent Economic Developments and Policy Decisions by the Bank of Japan
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/report-on-cu...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/report-on-cu...
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Report on Currency and Monetary Control: Recent Economic Developments and Policy Decisions by the Bank of Japan
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/report-on-cu...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/report-on-cu...
Mizuho Securities, a consolidated subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, has entered into an agreement with the majority shareholder of Avendus Capital Private Limited to acquire over 60% of the shares of Avendus, subject to regulatory approvals.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuho-to-ac...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuho-to-ac...
December 17, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Mizuho Securities, a consolidated subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, has entered into an agreement with the majority shareholder of Avendus Capital Private Limited to acquire over 60% of the shares of Avendus, subject to regulatory approvals.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuho-to-ac...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuho-to-ac...
SBI Holdings and Startale Group Partner to Develop a Compliant Yen Stablecoin for the Global Market
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
December 16, 2025 at 3:11 AM
SBI Holdings and Startale Group Partner to Develop a Compliant Yen Stablecoin for the Global Market
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/sbi-holdings...
Nomura arranges USD 500m financing for Mexico's Plata
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nomura-arran...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nomura-arran...
December 16, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Nomura arranges USD 500m financing for Mexico's Plata
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nomura-arran...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/nomura-arran...
The Japan FinTech Observer for the week ending December 14, 2025 - Cutting through the noise in Japanese Finance & FinTech
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
December 16, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The Japan FinTech Observer for the week ending December 14, 2025 - Cutting through the noise in Japanese Finance & FinTech
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Read it here: www.fintechobserver.com/japan-fintec...
Ginsen, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have agreed to establish a jointly invested insurance agency business company on April 1, 2026.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-group-e...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-group-e...
December 15, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Ginsen, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have agreed to establish a jointly invested insurance agency business company on April 1, 2026.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-group-e...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/smbc-group-e...
InsureMO has entered into a strategic partnership with FPT Japan, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation. The partners aim to fully support business reforms at domestic insurance companies.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/insuremo-and...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/insuremo-and...
December 15, 2025 at 5:37 AM
InsureMO has entered into a strategic partnership with FPT Japan, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation. The partners aim to fully support business reforms at domestic insurance companies.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/insuremo-and...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/insuremo-and...
In response to recent cases of accounting fraud involving companies going public, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and Japan Exchange Regulation (JPX-R) are introducing a new set of measures.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-tses-mea...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-tses-mea...
December 15, 2025 at 4:51 AM
In response to recent cases of accounting fraud involving companies going public, the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and Japan Exchange Regulation (JPX-R) are introducing a new set of measures.
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-tses-mea...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/the-tses-mea...
Mizuho's Finance-Specialized LLM Achieves Passing Level on Banking Practical Exams
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuhos-fina...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuhos-fina...
December 14, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Mizuho's Finance-Specialized LLM Achieves Passing Level on Banking Practical Exams
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuhos-fina...
Read more: www.fintechobserver.com/mizuhos-fina...