Japan

The topic being discussed most nowaday is “Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Transformation in Southeast Asia”. OECD-SEARP has been engaged in active discussions on policies to make digitalisation work for better lives and inclusive growth. Japan has actively lead those discussions. OECD has been working on a horizontal project to assess the potential and impact of digitalisation on various aspects of human lives. It is essential to recognise digital transformation as an opportunity, not as a problem.

MUFG is establishing a Riyadh subsidiary by October.

Lenders are running out of options to combat the ultra-low interest rate environment.

Seven lenders will take a stake of little over 14% in the JV.

The platform can process a million transactions per second.

The Manila office will assume operations from Singapore, Sydney and Taipei.

Intense Western competition is adding to the banking sector’s growing list of woes.

MUFG Bank will cut the branch numbers by 20% whilst Mizuho will close around 100 domestic locations.

Regional banks may lose about 60% of inheritance funds.

The collaboration aims to streamline cross-border payments.

Lower bad loan expenses and gains from equity holdings buoyed earnings.

Declining loan demand is squeezing the profits of the country's lenders.

JCB Co. is testing its contactless payment solution using fingerprint authentication.

This comes amidst an overall profit downturn hitting most Japanese banks.

New markets and new target demographics may just help banks stay afloat.

This follows a regulatory change facilitating third party access to accounts and data.