Publication of "Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026" by FINOLAB

FINOLAB Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yasuaki Oda; hereinafter "FINOLAB") has published the "Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026," which includes the award results of the Japan Financial Innovation Award (JFIA) 2026 and records all companies that have received awards in the past.

"Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026" (Produced by: FINOLAB; Cooperation: Dentsu Research Institute)

Price: Print edition: ¥1,980; Electronic edition: ¥1,320 (both prices include tax)

Available via on-demand printing and as an electronic edition.

Amazon URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4909993355

(It is also available via on-demand sales on Rakuten Books and Sanshodo Bookstores.)

This book describes the purpose of JFIA, its selection methods, awardees by year, the Grand Prize winners, and the content and reviews of the excellent awards in each category. It is designed to provide insight into the innovations and fintech trends of each year. It is especially recommended for people in the financial industry and those interested in the latest technologies.

To commemorate the publication, FINOLAB will hold an event titled "Diagram Communication Techniques to Accelerate Innovation – Diagram Thinking for Use in Financial Practice."

About the publication commemorative event:

[Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026 Publication Commemoration]

Diagram Communication Techniques to Accelerate Innovation – Diagram Thinking for Use in Financial Practice

While explaining the diagrams included in the Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026, we will introduce "diagram communication" as a practical solution that can be "used in day-to-day work." We will explain, with concrete examples from the financial industry, how to present the following in a way that anyone can reproduce without relying on special sense:

- How to visualize differences in perception
- Communication design
- Diagram frameworks that can be used immediately in the field

Event application page

Event Overview:

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 18:30–20:30

Venue: FINOLAB Event Space (Otemachi Building 4F, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

Capacity: 40 people (first-come, first-served)

Participation fee: ¥2,000 (includes the Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026 and the reception fee)

Target audience: Anyone who wants to improve their ability to communicate using diagrams, not limited to the financial industry

Organizer: FINOLAB

Timetable:

18:30–19:00 Introduction to the diagrams in the Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook
- Introduction to the Yearbook / FINOLAB Inc. Makoto Shibata
- Explanation of the Yearbook diagrams / Yuichi Takano, Metagram Inc.

19:00–20:00 Diagram workshop
- Financial industry diagram workshop by Mr. Takano of Metagram Inc.

20:00–20:30 Book lottery, networking and book sales
- Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

*Please note that the contents and program of the lectures may be partially changed due to circumstances.

What is included in the participation fee:

- Special benefits: All participants will receive a copy of the "Japan Financial Innovation Yearbook 2026."
- A lottery will be held to give away Mr. Takano's new book, "Skilled Speakers Draw Invisible Diagrams in Their Minds."
- Networking time with light snacks and drinks will be provided after the workshop.

Speaker Profile:

Yuichi Takano (Representative Director, Metagram Inc.; Lecturer, Tokyo University of Science Open College)

An expert in diagramming who visualizes and structures things from multiple perspectives using diagrams.

He began his career working in an automobile factory after graduating from high school. While studying on his own and saving tuition fees, he entered Tokyo University of Science. In 2015 he joined Fujitsu Marketing (now Fujitsu Japan), where after working in sales he served as a DX consultant. While working as a professional, he completed the Keio University Graduate School's SDM program and wrote a thesis on diagramming. He invented a diagram-based thinking method called "Diagram Thinking." His lectures and training programs are highly sought after, often with waiting lists, and have totaled over 12,000 participants.

About the Japan Financial Innovation Award (JFIA):

JFIA is an award system established in 2020 to promote advanced initiatives that utilize information and communication technologies in the financial field, to encourage the sharing of best practices within the industry, and to further expand open innovation across corporate groups and industries. The award consists of three categories: Startups, Financial Institutions, and Collaborations. FINOLAB, Japan's leading fintech center, serves as the secretariat, and with the cooperation of knowledge partner Dentsu Research Institute, FINOLAB extracts 300–500 financial innovation cases published in press releases during the previous year. From these, the FINOVATORS, a group of financial experts, evaluate submissions based on criteria such as innovativeness, growth potential, and the potential to transform the financial industry, announcing winners in each category, followed by further judging to determine the Grand Prize and category excellence awards.

(Website: https://jfia.tokyo/2026-jp/)

※1 FINOVATORS (General Incorporated Association Financial Innovation Fellow Association): A non-profit organization in which professionals supporting startups (lawyers, investors, consultants, analysts, engineers, entrepreneurs, financial practitioners, public sector participants, etc.) volunteer. They lead the formation of a healthy innovation ecosystem in the Japanese economy and society with a global perspective and forward-looking thinking beyond the interests of any single company or sector.

Comments from stakeholders:

Organizer: FINOLAB Inc. Head of FINOLAB Makoto Shibata

In 2026, in addition to steady progress in the implementation of innovations such as generative AI, security tokens and stablecoins via blockchain, and BaaS (Banking as a Service) in Japan's financial industry, it was notable that breakthroughs occurred in areas that had been difficult to reform due to traditional regulations and system constraints. We hope this book will serve as a reference for reflecting on financial innovation over the past year and the changes since 2020.

Press releases since 2020 (most recent first):

■2026

The Grand Prize of "JFIA 2026," which awards financial innovation, is:

SBI Securities, Shinsei Trust Bank, Tokio Marine Asset Management, and BOOSTRY's

"PE investment products for individual investors using security tokens"

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000056.000049702.html

■2025

The Grand Prize of "JFIA 2025"

was awarded to East Japan Railway Company and Rakuten Bank for "JRE BANK"

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/r