Is Crypto Legal in Japan?

FSA announcement and implementation: https://www.sygna.io/blog/japan-implements-fatfs-crypto-travel-rule/; https://www.fsa.go.jp/en/news/2025/20250625/01.pdf

FATF context via Ministry of Finance: https://www.mof.go.jp/english/policy/international_policy/amlcftcpf/4.international_ei.html

FSA announcement and implementation: https://www.sygna.io/blog/japan-implements-fatfs-crypto-travel-rule/; https://www.fsa.go.jp/en/news/2025/20250625/01.pdf

EPI stablecoins: Fiat-backed with redemption at face value; regulated under PSA Chapter III-2.

Crypto-asset type: Lacks guaranteed redemption; subject to crypto-asset intermediary rules, with no issuer-specific regulation beyond user protection for handlers.

FSA outlined this in December 2022, with core rules effective June 2023 and refinements through 2024–2025.

Financial Services Agency (FSA): Regulates securities and financial instruments in Japan. Website: https://www.fsa.go.jp/

Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC): Oversees market surveillance under the FSA.

Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), Law No. 59 of 2007, effective January 1, 2008. https://www.fsa.go.jp/risk/rikinsei/financeact.pdf

Securities and Exchange Law (part of the FIEA), consolidating previous regulations.

International Standing: Japan is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and adheres to global AML/CFT standards. https://www.fatf-gafi.org/

Entities offering securities-related services, including those involving digital assets that qualify as financial instruments.

Securities brokerage, underwriting, dealing in public offerings (Type I).

Dealing in certain derivatives and intermediary services for collective investment schemes (Type II).

Investment advisory and agency services (no minimum capital but requires JFSA registration).

Type II: ¥10 million. https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/

Pre-application consultation with FSA, preparation of detailed business plans and financial statements, submission with fees, review by FSA, and registration. https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/

BMO Financial Group obtained a Type I license in 2023, enabling fixed-income securities distribution. https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/bmo-obtains-securities-license-in-japan/

CDD, EDD, STR Reporting: Required for all licensed entities. Beneficial ownership disclosure and PEP screening mandatory.

Record Retention: Minimum 5 years of transaction records.

Robust KYC procedures align with FATF recommendations. https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/

No specific enforcement actions against cryptocurrency firms have been reported as of 2025-2026.

General violations under the FIEA can lead to fines, business improvement orders, or license revocation. https://www.fsa.go.jp/risk/rikinsei/fiea.pdf

Income Tax: Gains from cryptocurrency treated as capital gains if classified as a financial instrument; taxed at 20% rate. https://www.nta.go.jp/tax/taxsya/12001.htm

No explicit guidance for virtual assets beyond general capital gains rules.

Regulatory Ambiguity: The FIEA does not explicitly define digital assets, leading to uncertainty.

Licensing Burden: High capital thresholds may deter smaller players.

AML/KYC Challenges: Implementing comprehensive KYC for rapidly evolving digital asset platforms can be resource-intensive.

Financial Services Agency (FSA) - Overview

Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (PDF)

BMO Obtains Securities License in Japan

Japanese Securities License: Requirements & Tips

Cryptocurrencies are not explicitly legal as securities in Japan, but qualifying digital assets can be regulated under the FIEA. About Japan | The Government of Japan - JapanGov

The FSA is responsible for overseeing securities and financial instruments. Financial Services Agency (FSA) - Overview

A Type I license requires a minimum capital of ¥50 million, permitting brokerage and underwriting activities. Japanese Securities License: Requirements & Tips

BMO Financial Group successfully obtained a securities license in Japan in 2023, enabling fixed-income distribution. BMO Obtains Securities License in Japan

The practical regulatory reality involves uncertainty due to vague guidance on digital assets under the FIEA. Measuring the Efficiency of Securities Firms in Japan

Financial Services Agency (FSA) - Overview

Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (PDF)

BMO Obtains Securities License in Japan

Japanese Securities License: Requirements & Tips

About Japan | The Government of Japan - JapanGov

Measuring the Efficiency of Securities Firms in Japan

Financial Services Agency (FSA) – responsible for licensing and oversight of financial instruments businesses. Website: <https://www.fsa.go.jp/>

Japan aligns with FATF recommendations on virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and participates in global AML/CFT initiatives, though specific FATF guidance for digital assets was issued in 2023.

Entities Requiring a License: Any entity offering tokenized securities or other digital assets to Japanese residents must hold an appropriate license from the FSA.

Types of Licenses & Activities:

Type I Financial Instruments Business – ¥50 million minimum capital, robust internal controls, qualified personnel; permits brokerage, underwriting, and public offerings (source: <https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/>).

Type II Financial Instruments Business – ¥10 million minimum capital, adequate organizational structure; permits dealing in certain derivatives and intermediary services for collective investment schemes (source: same).

Investment Advisory and Agency Business – No minimum capital requirement but requires registration with the FSA; allows providing investment advice and acting as an agent for investment management (source: same).

Pre-application consultation with FSA or local finance bureau.

Prepare detailed business plans, organizational charts, internal control policies, and financial statements.

Submit application along with fees.

Undergo review and potential on-site inspections; registration follows successful completion (source: <https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/>).

Actual Licensing: BMO Financial Group obtained a Type I license in Japan in 2023, demonstrating compliance with the above steps (source: <https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/bmo-obtains-securities-license-in-japan/>). No other foreign entities have been licensed since; domestic firms dominate the market.

Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Identify and verify the true beneficial owner of each account.

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Required for politically exposed persons (PEPs) or high-risk jurisdictions.

Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR): Must report any suspicious activity within 10 business days to the FSA (source: <https://greylabelforex.com/japanese-securities-license/>).

Record Retention: Maintain KYC/AML records for at least five years post-closure of the customer relationship.

Penalties & Fines: Non‑compliance can result in fines up to ¥500 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years (Article 27 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act).

Notable Cases: No major enforcement actions against digital asset firms have been publicly disclosed since 2022; however, BMO faced a minor compliance review in 2024 following its license issuance (source: <https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/bmo-obtains-securities-license-in-japan/>).

Capital Gains: Profits from the sale of digital assets classified as securities are taxed at a 15 % rate on net capital gains (subject to income tax rates; source: <https://www.financemagnates.com/institutional-forex/bmo-obtains-securities-license-in-japan/>).

No VAT: Digital asset transactions are not subject to VAT in Japan.

Reporting Obligations: Taxpayers must report gains on Form 1 (Income Tax Return) annually (source: Japanese Ministry of Finance guidance, accessed via <https://www.mof.go.jp/>).

International Securities Lending (Japan): <http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-349-12588-3_5>

Cryptocurrencies and digital assets are regulated as securities in Japan under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) of 2007, overseen by the Financial Services Agency (FSA). Japan‑uk events calendar

Entities offering tokenized securities must obtain a Type I or Type II Financial Instruments Business License, with minimum capital requirements of ¥50 million and ¥10 million, respectively. Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA)

The FSA requires robust AML/KYC procedures including customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence for PEPs, and reporting of suspicious transactions within 10 business days. Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA)

Tax treatment: capital gains from digital assets classified as securities are taxed at a 15 % rate; no VAT applies. BMO Obtains Securities License in Japan

Key regulatory gaps include limited guidance on NFTs and utility tokens, high capital barriers for smaller firms, and inconsistent AML enforcement against unlicensed platforms. International Securities Lending (Japan)