Japan has one of the world's largest and most sophisticated financial sectors. Its financial-asset base was equivalent to an estimated 1,302% of GDP in 2014, compared with 1,049% in the US and 636% in China. Despite the country's large asset base, the financial sector is a modest employer, engaging about 2.6% of the active labour force in 2013, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
The Japanese financial sector is mature, with little growth expected in the forecast period (2015-19) owing to the already widespread use of financial services, the country's declining population and the modest rate of economic expansion. As a result, most big banks, securities firms, insurers and money managers will continue to look abroad, and especially to the rest of Asia, for opportunities.
As a rule, the product offerings of Japan's banks will remain less sophisticated than those of banks in most other OECD economies. This will largely reflect the risk-averse character of the local population, who will continue to favour safer investments.

Financial services report 2

Banks 3

Insurers 6

Asset managers 8

Financial markets and instruments 10

Financial regulation 13

Monetary and currency policy 15

Japan at a glance 17

Fundamental indicators 18

Key contacts 19

中国科学技术信息研究所