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Japan

Payment Services Act — Electronic Payment Instruments (EPI) regime

EnforcedRegulator(s): Financial Services Agency (FSA)Next review: 2026-09-08

Fiat-pegged stablecoins are 'electronic payment instruments'; issuance restricted to banks, trust companies, and licensed fund transfer service providers.

EPI framework in force since June 2023. 2025 PSA Amendment (enacted 6 Jun 2025) fully implemented 13 Jun 2026: broker/intermediary category, relaxed trust-type reserve rules (up to 50% short-term JGBs), improved cross-border EPI handling.

📋 Key Requirements

Reserves1:1 backing; trust-type issuers may hold up to 50% of backing in JGBs (≤3-month maturity) or early-cancellable term deposits since 2026 amendment
RedemptionGuaranteed redemption at face value
CapitalIssuer must be a licensed bank, trust company, or fund transfer service provider
AttestationOngoing disclosure obligations; travel-rule compliance for transfers
LicensingEPI exchange/intermediary services require registration; 2026 amendment adds lighter intermediary category

📅 Timeline & Upcoming Deadlines

  • 2023-06-01

    Revised PSA creates EPI category — first major economy with dedicated stablecoin law

    secondary
  • 2025-06-06

    2025 PSA Amendment Act enacted

    secondary
  • 2025-08

    JPYC registered as funds-transfer provider; launches Japan's first fully regulated yen-pegged stablecoin

    secondary
  • 2026-06-13

    Full implementation of 2025 PSA Amendment

    secondary

🏛️ Licensed / Approved Issuers

JPYC Co. (JPYC)
2025-08

🪙 Aligned Stablecoins on Atlas

No stablecoins from the Atlas directory are currently aligned with this framework.

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