Japan aims to ease startup fundraising with looser lending rules

StartupsLoans to fledgling Japanese companies fell 10% last yearJapan's Financial Services Agency is targeting legislative changes as soon as 2027 that would boost lending to startups. (Source photos by Nikkei)YUKI NAKAMURAAugust 11, 2026 00:13 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese financial authorities look to help startups raise money more easily by relaxing legal requirements for nontraditional lenders, Nikkei has learned.Read NextStartupsSeed-stage startup funding in Japan sinks 40% as investors grow selectiveImmigrationJapan wants more startups. Its new visa rules say otherwiseOpinionJapan won't become another Silicon Valley. It doesn't need toStartupsJapan to urge startups to explore buyouts instead of IPOsDefenseJapan to support growth of dual-use tech startups with early paymentsInterviewTokyo's re