After years of rationalisation and restructuring following the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s, Japan's largest banks – Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group – are much healthier than their Western and Chinese counterparts, but they are still struggling to increase profitability.
Asia-Pacific
Latest articles from Japan
Central Bank Governor of the Year 2014
January 2, 2014The Banker’s Central Bank Governor of the Year awards celebrate the officials who managed to restore economic stability and even growth to their countries following a turbulent few years.
Banks see the silver lining in Japan's new demographic
November 1, 2013Japan's ageing population may be a burden on the country's younger generations, but the older population is proving to be a profitable target market for the country's banks, which are addressing the needs of this growing market segment with new products and services.
A brave, new Bitcoin world?
August 1, 2013Bitcoin – an audacious, innovative and 'mathematically fantastic' virtual currency, or an unregulated, volatile and opaque money channel? The Banker puts that question to banks, regulators and technology experts to get their take.
Daiwa makes US and Europe push
August 1, 2013The first yen issue for Slovakia since 1994, a debut Finnish non-sovereign samurai bond deal and a growing number of dollar mandates are raising the profile of the debt capital markets team at Japan's Daiwa
Japan's banks slide as China marches on
July 1, 2013The sluggish growth that has existed in Japan's banking sector in recent years shows little sign of ending.
Japan’s presence looms large at ADB meeting
June 3, 2013The Asian Development Bank's annual meeting in Delhi in May saw a new president take the helm, but it was the policies of his home country – Japan – that dominated proceedings.
The future of mobile money
May 1, 2013Mobile money, including banking and payments, is encroaching into the everyday life of the consumer. Monetising the business is still proving difficult, but thanks to the abundance of products available already, tangible business models are slowly emerging.
'Abenomics' puts the yen on alert
April 2, 2013A new prime minister and Bank of Japan governor, both apparently working in concert, could signal sustained weakness for the yen. But there are some tough psychological barriers to breach.
Tokyo Stock Exchange CIO plans a smooth running future
January 2, 2013Tokyo Stock Exchange’s chief information officer talks about implementing the bourse’s cash equities trading platform, a long process that has brought with it many challenges.