Newsletter_FINCITY.TOKYO UPDATE (September 2025)
1 OCTOBER 2025Interviews
Updates from Tokyo’s expanding finance and startup ecosystem and the 54 members of FinCity.Tokyo.
FinCity in the News
Nikkei Asia covered FinCity.Tokyo’s Emerging Managers Program, which provides comprehensive support for budding asset management firms and connects them with asset owners.
Top Interview
GETTING READY FOR TOKYO SUSTAINABLE FINANCE WEEK
Between October 15 and 24, FinCity.Tokyo will be hosting its annual Tokyo Sustainable Finance Week (TSFW), an event dedicated to exploring the various facets of sustainable finance. We spoke to Ms. Tomomi Suzuki, who will be serving as the main MC for the event, about why the TSFW matters right now and Tokyo’s role in further sustainable finance globally.
Interview: Strengthening the English IR skills of Japanese listed companies
Ryuichi Takemura, Head of FinCity.Tokyo’s Disclosure G Program
Japan is back on global investors’ radar, yet opportunities on the Tokyo Stock Exchange can remain undiscovered due to a lack of global standard, high-quality investor communication in English. We speak to Ryuichi Takemura, who leads FinCity.Tokyo successful Disclosure G Program to enhance English-language communications by listed firms.
Events Info
Financial seminars for Tokyo residents, October 3
FinCity.Tokyo will host a “Next-generation finance and startup seminar”, the “Financial Seminar for Those in Their 50s and 60s,” and the “Financial Seminar for Young People,” to help Tokyo residents acquire knowledge of asset formation and other financial matters, enabling them to build prosperous lives through deeper knowledge of finance.
English-language IR human resource development course, October 8-9
FinCity.Tokyo arranges a seminar for Japanese listed companies on how to communicate effectively in English— a requirement for firms on the Prime Market since April 2025. The seminar is arranged as part of FinCity.Tokyo’s Disclosure G program, which seeks to bolster the English IR skills of listed companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Tokyo Sustainable Finance Week, October 15-24
FinCity.Tokyo is proud to host the 6th annual Sustainable Finance Week, dedicated to the advancement of sustainable finance. The event includes both programs for business professionals, and programs for individuals that are useful for daily life and asset building. The Tokyo Sustainable Finance Forum on October 15 will invite experts from all over the world to discuss the latest developments and trends in the field.
KEY STORIES IN JAPANESE MEDIA
- 40 Years Since the Plaza Accord: Currency Landscape Increasingly Uncertain (NHK, September 21)
Forty years after the Plaza Accord, international currency cooperation has become even more challenging due to the rise of U.S. protectionism and growing doubts about the dollar’s reliability. Japan’s economy now requires sustainable growth strategies that are resilient to exchange rate fluctuations, as well as new initiatives like expanding local currency settlements.
- BOJ’s ETF Sales Mark a New Era for Governance Reforms—Companies Must Strive to Attract Investors (Nikkei, September 22)
The Bank of Japan’s plan to begin selling off ETFs with a book value of ¥37 trillion presents an opportunity to accelerate corporate governance reforms. While the BOJ’s equity holdings have contributed to improved corporate governance in the past, companies are now expected to enhance their intrinsic value rather than merely meet formal requirements. Ongoing dialogue with shareholders and value creation beyond numerical targets will be essential.
KEY STORIES IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
- Activist Funds Ramp Up Japan Bets After Record Bids Last Year (Bloomberg, September 16)
Activist investment funds are increasing their positions in Japanese companies, building on last year’s record level of takeover bids. Improved corporate governance and growing shareholder influence in Japan are making the country increasingly attractive to global activist investors.
- Can Tokyo tempt finance workers to manage its trillions? (Financial Times, September 16)
While Tokyo faces certain hurdles—such as regulatory barriers, competition from other Asian cities, and work culture issues—in attracting top talent in asset management, the city boasts vast financial market scale and robust infrastructure. Additionally, Tokyo’s stability, global connectivity, and position as a gateway to the Japanese and wider Asian economies make it an attractive destination for international finance professionals.
- Japan’s Economy Continues to Grow Amid Tariff Woes, Revised Data Confirms (Wall Street Journal, September 7)
Japan’s economy has continued to grow despite ongoing challenges from U.S.-imposed tariffs, as confirmed by newly revised government data. The figures show that strong exports and resilient consumer spending helped offset the negative impact of trade tensions.
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