Newsletter_FINCITY.TOKYO UPDATE (March 2026)
25 MARCH 2026Newsletters
Updates from Tokyo’s expanding finance and startup ecosystem and the 54 members of FinCity.Tokyo.
FinCity.Tokyo in the News
Japan Deepening Ties with Hubs Beyond US on Climate, Says Tokyo Promotion Body Head (Responsible Investor, March 20)
FinCity.Tokyo Chairman Nakaso was interviewed in connection with the Japan Securities Summit in London about Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen ties with London and other finance hubs outside the US to mobile finance to fight climate change.
Introducing Our Directors
Interview: Supporting sustainable digitalization with AI strategy
Ryu Hirayama, Country Representative, Japan, for LSEG highlights Tokyo’s unique strengths in the development and application of AI.
Special Interview
How Japan’s strong fundamentals drive investment
David Semaya, a veteran of Japanese finance now serving as Executive Chairman and Representative Director of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management, reflects on the strong interest in Japan from global investors.
Other Updates
SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 April 27-28: FinCity.Tokyo booth and talk sessions
FinCity.Tokyo will exhibit at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s flagship convention for global startups. The booth will feature emerging asset management companies (EMs) selected through our EM Showcase, as well as specially invited fintech companies. These companies will also present sessions in the investor area.
On the main stage in the same area, we also hold talk sessions featuring overseas family offices that take a mid- to long-term investment perspective. Besides introducing the family offices, the sessions will introduce new business opportunities for startups to enable sustainable post-IPO capital.
Last, we will host a signing ceremony for a new Memorandum of Understanding between Tokyo and Luxembourg to promote financial collaboration, and a fireside chat about the new partnership and how financial hubs can support startup growth.
■Overview of SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026
Asia’s largest global innovation conference, hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Dates: April 27–29, 2026 (FinCity.Tokyo activities on business days only)
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall 4F, and 1F Atrium
https://sushitech-startup.
February 2026:
FinCity.Tokyo joined iConnections Global Alts Miami 2026
FinCity.Tokyo’s booth at iConnections Global Alts Miami 2026 promoted the attractiveness of the Japanese market to leading US investors, conveying that a base in Tokyo can facilitate fundraising in Japan and support efforts to attract business to Tokyo.
We also held two talk sessions. In the “Japan Session,” speakers from the Japan Exchange Group and pension funds highlighted expectations for inflows from Japanese institutional investors into the alternatives market. The session drew many attendees, underscoring the strong interest in Japan.
In addition, an invitation-only breakout session attracted approximately 20 people, including investors. FinCity.Tokyo Ambassador David Semaya outlined investment opportunities over the next five to seven years, driven by Japan’s corporate governance reforms and the weak yen. Other speakers explained changes in Japanese operating companies and the advantages of having a Tokyo office when selecting external managers. The lively discussions made the session valuable to participants seriously considering expansion into Tokyo.
Key Stories in Media
KEY STORIES IN JAPANESE MEDIA
- Berkshire Hathaway invests 287.4 billion yen in Tokio Marine and jointly conducts M&A (Nikkei, March 23)
Tokio Marine Holdings will form a capital and business alliance with Berkshire Hathaway. In April, it will receive a 2.5% investment (287.4 billion yen) from Berkshire. In addition to joint M&A with insurance companies and others, the two firms will collaborate in the reinsurance field. The firms aim to further expand overseas business by leveraging Berkshire’s global network.
- “Wrap Account” assets continue to increase! “Professional Allocation” seems to be the choice under these tough situations (Diamond Zai, March 21)
Data from the end of 2025 show “wrap account” balance assets have exceeded 26 trillion yen. The market size, including balanced investment trusts, is approaching 50 trillion yen. The average contract amount per wrap account has reached a high of 13.4 million yen, and investment by high net-worth individuals is accelerating. Due to the current global uncertainty affecting markets, people are choosing to leave things to the professionals.
- Personal financial assets reach a record high of 2,351 trillion yen at the end of last year – Bank of Japan (Jiji Press, March 18)
The Bank of Japan’s Fund Flow Statistics for Oct-Dec 2025 show the balance of financial assets held by individuals as of the end of December was 2,351 trillion yen, an increase of 5.3% from the end of the previous year. This was the 12th consecutive quarterly increase and hit a new record high partially due to the rise in stock prices since the inauguration of the Takaichi administration. Stocks increased by 22.6% to 342 trillion yen, and investment trusts increased by 21.3% to 165 trillion yen, both of which were new record highs.
KEY STORIES IN INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
- Japan Companies Signal Biggest Wage Hike in 35 Years (Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2026)
Japanese companies are poised to give workers their most significant pay raise in 35 years, strengthening conditions for another interest-rate hike at a time when the fallout from the war in the Middle East has muddied the outlook for Japan’s economy.
- Japan reports lower-than-expected core inflation for February, headline CPI eases for a fourth month (CNBC, March 23, 2026)
Japan’s headline inflation rate eased for a fourth straight month in February as the economy cooled on stabilizing food prices, with subsidies shielding consumers from rising energy prices as the conflict in Middle East rage on.
- Japan upgrades Q4 GDP on robust capex (Reuters, March 10, 2026)
Japan’s economy grew faster than initially estimated in the final three months of 2025, thanks to rapid business investment and stronger private consumption.
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