Japan examines defense sector financing by top lenders

FinanceGovernment seeks to draw more private money to industry, but banks still waryJapan's Financial Services Agency is interviewing top banks and life insurers about their investments in the defense industry. (Photo by Rie Ishii)TAKERO MINAMI, YUMIKO OSHIMA and YUKI NAKAMURAAugust 13, 2026 02:00 JSTTOKYO -- Japan's Financial Services Agency has begun looking into investment and lending for the defense industry by big domestic financial institutions, looking to better understand the supply of funds to a key sector for national security.