Japan

Japanese yen
Bank of Japan Official: Central Banks Need to Watch Blockchain
A Bank of Japan official said this week that central banks should watch developments surrounding bitcoin and blockchain "closely".
Japanese yen

mijin, zaif
Japan's TechBureau Raises $6.5 Million for Bitcoin and Blockchain Services
A Japanese blockchain startup has reportedly raised $6.5m in a new Series A funding round.
mijin, zaif

Blocks
Microsoft Japan Among 34 Tech Firms to Launch Blockchain Consortium
A group of 34 companies from around the world has launched Japan’s first blockchain trade association.
Blocks

japan
SBI Leads Japanese Bitcoin Exchange’s $27 Million Series C
Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange bitFlyer has raised $27 million in new funding, one of the largest rounds for a Japanese digital currency firm to date.
japan

japan, business
Japan's Financial Regulator to Discuss Blockchain Market Applications
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is set to discuss blockchain tech at a policy meeting early next month.
japan, business

mt fuji
FSA Official: Asia Should Have Competitive Edge in Blockchain Tech
A representative of Japan’s Financial Services Agency has argued Asia should emerge as a leader in blockchain technology.
mt fuji

hitachi
Tech Giant Hitachi to Study Blockchain in New R&D Lab
Japanese technology conglomerate Hitachi is set to open a financial technology research laboratory that will focus on blockchain applications.
hitachi

mizuho
US Judge Rules Mt Gox Class Action Can Continue Against Mizuho Bank
A judge has rejected a claim by Mizuho Bank that a class action lawsuit related to its involvement in the collapse of Mt Gox should move to Japan.
mizuho

paper lanterns
Japan Proposes Definition for Bitcoin in Bid to Regulate Exchanges
Japan's national Diet proposed changes to current legislation today to include a definition for virtual currencies under domestic law.
paper lanterns

Japan Diet
Japanese Legislator Calls for Bitcoin Tax Exemption
A legislator in Japan’s ruling political party has called for bitcoin purchases to be exempt from an 8% consumption tax, a news source says.
Japan Diet