Archive

Summary of the Press Conference by Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services Katayama following the Cabinet Meeting (September 29, 2026) AIAI translation

AI At the post-Cabinet press conference on September 29, 2026, Finance Minister Katayama said the Cabinet approved the use of reserve funds totaling 1,119 billion yen (781 billion yen for register support and related measures, 338 billion yen for tax system modifications and related work) to prepare for the reduction of the consumption tax rate on food and beverages and the introduction of a support payment to ease the burden on workers, both scheduled for April 2027. He also reported that the fourth project under the Payment Innovation Project (PIP), a proof-of-concept trial of blockchain-based trade settlement, had been selected for support. In the Q&A he addressed the September 25 phone call with US Treasury Secretary Bessent, long-term interest rates, the requested inspection planning office at the FSA, and the role of the RCC.

Summary of Finance Minister Katayama's Press Conference Following the Cabinet Meeting (September 25, 2026) AIAI translation

AI At his post-cabinet press conference on 25 September 2026, Finance Minister Katayama said that, while the specific methods of monetary policy should be left to the Bank of Japan, he regards its 18 September raising of the policy rate from about 1.0% to about 1.25% as a step toward achieving the 2% price stability target. He declined to comment on exchange rate and long-term interest rate movements or on any rate check, but disclosed that at the Japan-US summit President Trump voiced concern about the weak yen and Prime Minister Takaichi said in general terms that undervaluation of the yen is a problem, and that he will continue close discussions with Treasury Secretary Bessent, including on exchange rates.

Hosting of Overseas Authority Officials at the Global Financial Partnership Center (29th Session: 15 Insurance Supervisory Authority Officials) AIAI translation

AI The Financial Services Agency's Global Financial Partnership Center (GLOPAC) invited 15 officials from overseas insurance supervisory authorities from 25 August to 3 September 2026 for its 29th training program, which presented the FSA's approach to key issues in insurance regulation and supervision and included an exchange of views on policy challenges. As of September 2026, including activities under its predecessor AFPAC, it has run 29 training programs and similar activities for overseas financial authority staff, hosting a total of 281 participants as researchers and in other capacities.

Regulatory thresholds set to shift to automatic increases

Results of the September 2026 survey on credit terms and conditions in euro-denominated securities financing and OTC derivatives markets (SESFOD)

AI The ECB's September 2026 SESFOD survey, covering June to August 2026 and based on responses from 26 large banks, found that overall credit terms and conditions eased slightly for all counterparty types for a fourth consecutive quarter, mainly through price terms. Demand for securities financing rose for equities and most other collateral types, haircuts decreased, and initial margins fell slightly for several non-centrally cleared OTC derivative types, while valuation disputes increased for several derivative types, particularly credit derivatives.

Summary of the Press Conference by Minister of Finance Katayama following the Cabinet Meeting (Tuesday, October 6, 2026) AIAI translation

AI At the press conference after the Cabinet meeting on October 6, 2026, Finance Minister Katayama explained that funding for the consumption tax rate cut on food and beverages will be secured without relying on special deficit-financing bonds, as set out in the outline approved by the Cabinet on September 15. He also answered questions on the possible leak of about 220,000 Daiwa Securities customer records, the surge in low-value import parcels, the review of unlisted share valuation, the Park24 personal data leak and tax-law record-keeping obligations, and sovereign wealth funds.