A senior executive at KPMG Japan, Kenji Hoki, has claimed that Japanese crypto enthusiasts might have to wait until spring 2027 for a domestic Bitcoin ETF. Speaking at the WebX2025 summit in Tokyo, Hoki explained the potential timeline, noting that a request for a Bitcoin ETF could be included in the next tax reform requests in early 2026. If approved by the National Diet, the law would likely take effect in 2027.
Hoki did offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting that if the government opts to fast-track the process through a government ordinance amendment, approval could come as early as next year. However, he cautioned that significant legal and regulatory obstacles remain, particularly with the Investment Trust Act, which currently limits the assets that investment trusts can hold.
Other experts at the summit expressed concern that Japan is falling behind global leaders like the U.S., Singapore, and Hong Kong. Tomoya Asakura, President and CEO of SBI Global Asset Management, called a two-year wait "too late." He proposed a more "realistic" solution: allowing Japanese investors to access overseas Bitcoin ETFs by incorporating them into a Japanese investment trust.
The discussion highlighted strong and growing investor demand for crypto in Japan. According to a recent survey, over 60% of Japanese investors want to invest in crypto. Hajime Ikeda, an executive from Nomura Holdings, stated that more needs to be done to address this demand. Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato also commented on the issue, saying crypto could become a part of the nation's "diversified investments" and that an appropriate investment environment could help mitigate risks.
August 2025, Cryptoniteuae