Japan

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 Considers Regulating Bitcoin as Currency
Regulators in Japan have reportedly proposed treating digital currencies such as bitcoin as conventional currencies.

Orix, Shizuoka Become Latest Japanese Banks to Trial Blockchain
A group of Japanese financial services and technology companies have formed a new blockchain research initiative.

Mizuho, Microsoft Japan Trial Blockchain System for Syndicated Loans
Financial services giant Mizuho has announced a second blockchain technology trial that will focus on syndicated loans.

Mizuho to Develop Blockchain Tech for Internal Recordkeeping
Mizuho Financial has announced it is seeking to develop a blockchain application for internal recordkeeping.

Japan’s Largest Bank Latest to Develop Own Digital Currency
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) has revealed it has developed its own digital currency nicknamed "MUFG coin".

Japanese Bitcoin Exchange Launches ¥50 Million Startup Fund
Japanese bitcoin exchange BitFlyer has created a new startup fund aimed at investing in companies working with blockchain tech.

Japanese Think Tank NRI Considers Expanding Blockchain Research
NRI's Kazumitsu Yokokawa discusses the Japanese professional services firm's ongoing collaborations with major banks on blockchain efforts.

Japanese Regulators Mull Data Collection, Audits for Bitcoin Exchanges
New details have emerged about a proposed regulatory framework for bitcoin exchanges in Japan.

Report: Japanese Officials Draft Regulation for Bitcoin Exchanges
Japan's financial regulators are reportedly moving closer to creating a system for registering and overseeing domestic virtual currency exchanges.

