ICI Statement on Japan's Asset Management Policy Reforms
Brussels, Belgium, 16 June 2025— Today, Investment Company Institute (ICI) President and CEO Eric J. Pan released the following statement on the Japanese Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management Reform 2025 (Japanese Only):
“ICI applauds the Japanese government’s steadfast commitment to establishing Japan as a global leader in asset management, as reflected in its newly released Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management Reform 2025. This policy outlines critical reforms aimed at empowering households across all generations to invest confidently and build long-term financial security.
“Key measures include the expansion of contribution limits for corporate defined contribution (DC) and individual DC (iDeCo) pension plans and enhancements to the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) program — initiatives that ICI has long supported. We encourage continued progress in raising contribution limits and improving the accessibility of corporate DC and iDeCo pension plans so individuals can invest for a secure financial future. These efforts will help lay a strong foundation for household asset accumulation and financial resilience.
“We believe Japan is a model for other countries around the world serious about supporting their households’ participation in the capital markets.
“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Japanese government to support further reforms, including through initiatives such as Japan Weeks in October, which enhance Japan’s asset management industry and help Japanese households make the shift from saving to investing.”
Background: The Japanese government recently released the “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management Reform 2025,” which includes a continued commitment to its “Policy Plan for Promoting Japan as a Leading Asset Management Center.” The stated goal of the policy plan is to “create an investment chain that brings household savings to investment, improved corporate value to be redistributed to households, which would create more investments and consumption.” Last year, ICI issued a white paper on recommendations to enhance Japan’s defined contribution pension system and the NISA, available in English and Japanese.