The Travel Rule applies to all Japanese financial institutions processing wire transfers — including regional banks. This guide covers the obligation, the most common mid-market gaps, and the required compliance architecture.
Since 2024 Japan's FSA has assessed whether AML/CTF programmes produce outcomes — not whether they exist. This guide covers what effectiveness examiners request and the most common evidence gaps at mid-market institutions.
Japan's National Action Plan explicitly endorses shared AML infrastructure for regional banks. This article explains how the consortium model works, its FSA endorsement, and the commercial case for mid-market institutions.
Tranche 2 for law firms will bring AML/CTF obligations into client intake, matter assessment and legal service workflows from 1 July 2026. This guide explains which legal services may be captured, where risk can appear in legal matters, and how firms can prepare practical onboarding, screening and record keeping processes.
Tranche 2 does not automatically capture every business in a sector. This guide explains how designated services work, which Australian businesses may be affected, and what firms should review before deciding whether they need to prepare for new AML/CTF obligations.
Inconsistent risk-based approach application was Japan's most significant 2021 FATF effectiveness gap. This guide explains what a compliant risk assessment must cover and how findings must flow into operational controls.
KYB Guide · June 2026 · Global Focus Beneficial ownership checks help regulated businesses identify who ultimately owns, controls or benefits from a company before risk enters the relationship. Beneficial ownership checks are a core part of Know Your Business…
Compliance Guide · June 2026 · Global Focus Digital ID verification is now a core part of modern AML onboarding. For regulated businesses, the challenge is not only verifying that a customer exists. It is proving that the identity check…
Cloud-based AML systems are permissible in Japan under APPI and FSA outsourcing guidelines — with specific data residency and governance conditions. This guide covers what CCOs and IT procurement teams must verify.
KYB Guide · June 2026 · Global Focus KYB compliance helps regulated businesses understand who they are dealing with, who controls a company and whether a business relationship creates financial crime risk. KYB compliance is becoming more important as businesses…
CDD under Japan's APTCP and FSA Guidelines operates across three tiers calibrated to customer risk. The FSA's 2024 FAQ update added domestic PEP obligations many institutions have not yet implemented.
Fraud Prevention Guide · June 2026 · Global Focus Liveness detection helps regulated businesses check whether a real person is present during digital onboarding. As identity fraud becomes more sophisticated, it is becoming a practical control for reducing remote onboarding…