Japan

Following a notable period of growth for Japan’s largest bank by customers, Rakuten Bank wins the best bank for digital solutions award this year.

Citi is the best international bank in Japan this year after a period of good financial performance and the introduction of changes to improve efficiency and returns.

Citi is named best bank for diversity and inclusion in Japan after introducing a range of programmes and benefits for employees with a broad impact.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation has backed initiatives to support the elderly and the young and to improve education among those who struggle to access it in the country. It is named best bank for corporate social responsibility in Japan this year.

Despite challenges both domestically and abroad, MUFG Bank has been named Japan’s best domestic bank following a relatively strong financial performance that supports the business's growth.

Rakuten needs money – and lots of it – as its mobile telecommunications arm continues to burn cash. But it is running out of things to sell, while its debt profile is miserable.

Pressure is growing on Japan’s self-imposed caps on government bond yields. Positive rates must be around the corner, but what will that mean for banks and public debt?

MUFG’s vast balance sheet has the potential to make a considerable difference to Japan’s net-zero ambitions. But the bank won’t be pulling back from polluters, arguing that money needs to flow to where emissions are, not away from them.

The enormous re-listing of Arm Holdings is unrepresentative in many ways, but it still contains a valuable lesson for those coming down the pipe.