Gaoyue officially announces 2026 as the digital transformation milestone; Japan's Finance Minister strongly promotes the adoption of crypto assets.

Japanese Finance Minister Katsuya Okada delivered an important speech at the New Year opening ceremony of the Tokyo Stock Exchange on January 5, officially establishing 2026 as the “Digital Year,” and expressed strong support for advancing digital assets and cryptocurrencies. This declaration marks a significant policy shift by the Japanese government, reflecting a new strategy in response to Japan’s long-term deflationary challenges.

Japanese Finance Minister Okada Repositions Economic Strategy, Facing a Turning Point in Deflation

Katsuya Okada candidly pointed out that 2026 will become a critical turning point for Japan’s economy. To break the long-standing deflationary deadlock, the government will implement more forward-looking fiscal policies and focus resources on strategic industries with high growth potential. This policy shift demonstrates Japan’s emphasis on the digital economy, viewing digital assets as an important engine for economic recovery. Okada’s statements reflect that Japanese decision-makers have recognized the need for traditional financial systems to complement emerging digital assets in order to overcome economic development bottlenecks.

From Saving to Investing, Okada Highlights Japan’s Largest Growth Opportunity

In his speech, Okada emphasized a key difference: compared to developed countries like the United States, there is still significant room for growth in Japan’s transition from a “savings mentality” to an “investment mindset.” This represents a huge potential market opportunity. To accelerate this shift, the government will provide comprehensive policy support to encourage citizens to invest their idle funds in financial markets. Okada believes that promoting nationwide participation in investment can not only activate social capital but also allow the broader public to benefit from the economic dividends brought by digital assets and blockchain technology. This initiative aims to stimulate domestic consumption and investment vitality, helping Japan achieve a qualitative leap in its economy.

Exchange Infrastructure as a Hub, Okada Looks Forward to Promoting Digital Asset Adoption

In promoting digital assets, Okada emphasized that traditional securities exchanges will play a crucial role. She believes that to enable the public to benefit from the economic opportunities brought by digital assets and blockchain technology, a robust exchange infrastructure is essential. Okada stated that the government’s goal is to assist Japanese exchanges in building a modernized trading environment that integrates cutting-edge financial technology and innovative techniques, facilitating the smooth promotion of cryptocurrencies and various digital assets. This policy orientation clearly indicates that Japanese authorities view digital assets as an important part of the financial market, rather than fringe products.

Learning from the US ETF Experience, Japan’s Fintech Prospects Look Bright

Okada further pointed out that in the US market, ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) have gradually become an important tool for investors to hedge against inflation. She hinted that Japan may also have opportunities to develop along similar lines in the future, using innovative investment products to address inflationary pressures. Based on this understanding, Okada pledged to fully support Japanese exchanges in creating a trading ecosystem that combines the latest financial technology and cutting-edge techniques. This means Japan is actively exploring the introduction of advanced cryptocurrency and digital asset trading mechanisms, providing the public with more diverse and secure investment options, thereby further promoting the deep integration and application of digitalization in the financial sector.