Tokyo Stakes Claim in Next-Generation Finance
Japan used the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025 to signal its ambition to become a leading launchpad for global fintech expansion – backed by regulatory clarity, digital-asset reforms, and growing investor appetite.
At the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025 (SFF), FinCity.Tokyo convened policymakers, venture investors, and fintech leaders to outline why Japan’s capital is fast emerging as a strategic gateway for global financial innovation.
The organization highlighted how regulatory reform, cross-border collaboration, and expanding digital-asset infrastructure are reshaping Tokyo from a traditional banking centre into a fintech-driven ecosystem.
Policy Momentum Strengthens Japan’s Appeal
Tokio Morita, Executive Director FinCity.Tokyo (Image: FCT)
Speaking at the Japan Pavilion, Tokio Morita, executive director of FinCity.Tokyo, underscored the organisation’s mission to help foreign fintechs navigate market entry. He noted that Tokyo’s progress is rooted in deep public-private collaboration, a clear regulatory environment, and sustained investor interest.
«We can assist you with navigating the regulatory landscape, connect you with business partners, capital, and experts, and help you scale operations,» Morita said. He added that Japan was among the first jurisdictions to legally recognise cryptoassets and continues to refine its digital-asset frameworks.
Growing Market Signals Long-Term Potential
Panelists at FinCity.Tokyo Insight Session (Image: SFF 2025)
Japan’s fintech market is projected to reach $30.2 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 14.1 percent. Tokyo also ranks eleventh in Startup Genome’s global ecosystem index – further evidence of its rising relevance for founders and investors seeking stable growth.
Natalie Shiori Fleming, head of APAC at Banking Circle, shared her perspective as a recent entrant into the Japanese market. She noted that Japan’s regulatory environment is clear and forward-leaning, especially in the digital-asset sector.
«The regulations in Japan are clear, and I think the FSA is very innovative. They were among the first to regulate the crypto space. While there are some language and cultural barriers to the market, once you enter and hire a local team, it is a market where global players can thrive,» she said.
Positioning Tokyo as a Trusted Hub for Innovation
The SFF session forms part of FinCity.Tokyo’s broader strategy to position Japan as a dependable innovation hub, supported by policy stability, deep capital pools, and strong institutional backing.
The organization aims to attract global fintechs by offering a structured, transparent path into one of Asia’s most sophisticated markets.
