In brief:
- Japan elected Yoshihide Suga to succeed Shinzo Abe as the New Prime Minister.
- New regulations and investment in a digital economy are positive signs for crypto in Japan.
Japan has had a mixed relationship with cryptocurrencies. The country has seen two of the biggest crypto hacks in history, Coincheck and Mt. Gox, where $534 million and $460 million were stolen. Despite these damages, Japan hasn’t waged war against crypto—instead it has focused on regulating it. And Suga has played his part in doing so.
During his time as chief cabinet secretary in 2014, Suga described Bitcoin as a commodity, rather than a currency. Suga also supported taxing of cryptocurrencies before his ascension to Prime Minister.
“If there are transactions and subsequent gains, it is natural for the finance ministry to consider how it can impose taxes,” Suga said at that time.
These statements may not inspire confidence into the crypto community, but they were a long time ago and, as Suga takes up the role of Prime Minister, Japan will continue to move towards a digital economy.
Japan’s crypto trajectory
The Japanese cryptocurrency industry has already given several indicators about where it’s headed in 2020.
In May, Japan made amendments to the Payment Services Act (PSA) and the Financial and Exchange Act (FIEA). These regulations were described as follows “a significant change in the way the FSA will regulate cryptocurrency-related business activities of operators in Japan.”
A month after these regulations came into force, A G20 digital economy ministers meeting in Japan reportedly said that blockchain technology will “empower all individuals and firms by creating new opportunities, and generate new services and employment.”
In addition, Japan is continueing to pursue “Society 5.0,” a digitized vision for the country’s economic future which will be defined by technological development, fintech growth, and artificial intelligence.
These developments show’s us that Japan’s wider trajectory is very much pro-crypto. Suga may not have embraced cryptocurrencies outright, but he has described them as a commodity item, and, in line with the current legislation, thinks crypto should be taxed.
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