Japan

Japan’s megabanks may increase foreign bond purchases to meet income goals

Upcoming US Fed rate cuts may raise bond prices, increasing urgency to buy.

SMBC invests in fusion energy start-up

It aims to accelerate the establishment of fusion power reactors’ supply chains.

MUFG Bank invests in LayerX

The two first entered into a business alliance in 2024.

SMBC Aviation Capital joins holding company acquiring Air Lease Corporation

SMBC Aviation Capital will have a 4.99% equity interest in the holding company.

Higher interest rates, fees lifts MUFG’s profitability

Earnings contribution from subsidiary banks will also support its profitability.

Indonesians can now pay with national standard QR in Japan

They can use QRIS to pay in Japanese merchants scanning the JPQR.

SMBC builds Africa presence with four new collaborations

It aims to support trade and investment, financing, and alleviate food shortages, it said.

SMBC invests in Novastar Ventures’ Africa fund

The fund’s budget for fiscal year 2025 is $340m.

Reward programs spur credit and charge cards usage in Japan

Credit card acceptance across merchants had also expanded in recent years.

PayPay submits draft registration statement to publicly list in the US

The mobile payment service app makes use of QR codes and bar codes.

Japan Post Bank’s net income up 8.9% to JPY104.86b in Q1 FY2026/3

Net income per share is JPY29.29, according to its consolidated financial results.

Norinchukin Bank logs $395.49m profit in Q1 FY2025

This is a reversal from its JPY412.7b loss a year earlier.

MUFG’s profits down 1.8% to $3.71b in Q1 FY2025

Ordinary income declined 7.7% from a year earlier.

SMBC’s profits down 1.5% to $2.5b in Q1 FY3/2026

Net interest income rose, but net trading and other operating income declined.

Mizuho’s profits up 1.2% to $1.93b in Q1 FY2025

MFG has revised its full-year earnings outlook upward.