As Japan confronts historic population decline, regional leaders and financial institutions are pioneering innovative strategies to drive economic renewal, strengthen communities, and build a more resilient national future.

“Emerging markets are shooting out the lights,” says Leslie Norton for Morningstar. The diverse grouping, which ranges from Latin American commodity producers to Asian technology powerhouses, has lagg

Okinawa Financial Group is driving regional growth through innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable finance and turns Japan’s southern islands into a model for inclusive development and a future hub for Asian commerce.

Shizuoka Bank is strengthening regional economies while expanding abroad, blending local trust with global ambition to support innovation, sustainability, and growth across Japan and Asia.

A RETRO REVIVAL, ‘TICKET TRAVEL’, INDIGENOUS FIRSTS — THESE ARE AMONG THE KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS SET TO INFLUENCE THE YEAR AHEAD. WORDS: QIN XIE

In Japan’s manufacturing heartland, the Bank of Nagoya is changing regional finance, supporting Aichi’s industrial base, driving sustainable growth and financing the shift towards a carbon-neutral, innovation-driven industry.