ICI Statement on Japan's Growth Strategy and Asset Management Reforms
Washington, DC, July 23, 2026—Today, Investment Company Institute (ICI) President and CEO Eric J. Pan released the following statement regarding the Japanese government's Financial Services Strategy to Promote Growth Investment: Upgrading “Promoting Japan as a Leading Asset Management Center,” which was published as part of Japan’s broader suite of economic and fiscal reforms for 2026:
“ICI applauds the Japanese government's continued commitment to strengthen its capital markets, promote growth-enhancing investment, and help households in Japan build long-term financial security through investing.
“We welcome the government's ambitious goal of increasing the share of household financial assets invested in equities, investment trusts, and bonds to 40% by 2040, a target that underscores the importance of expanding access to diversified, long-term investment opportunities through a strong asset management industry.
“Key additional measures in the government’s recently released policy plans include a commitment to further improve corporate defined contribution (DC) and individual DC (iDeCo) pension plans, and to further enhance and promote use of the Nippon Individual Savings Account (NISA) program — initiatives that ICI has long supported.
“We encourage the Japanese government to maintain strong momentum in its efforts to establish Japan as a global leader in asset management and to continue building on its progress in expanding investment opportunities for Japanese households, including through corporate DC and iDeCo pension plans.
We look forward to furthering our ongoing collaboration with the Japanese government and industry stakeholders to support additional reforms, including during Japan Weeks in October, to enhance Japan's asset management industry and help Japanese households shift from saving to investing."
Background:
The Japanese government recently released the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2026, the Japan Growth Strategy, and the Financial Services Strategy to Promote Growth Investment: Upgrading “Promoting Japan as a Leading Asset Management Center”, which include a continued commitment to strengthening Japan as a leading global asset management center and encouraging greater household participation in capital markets. ICI has published recommendations to strengthen Japan's defined contribution pension system and the NISA, available in English and Japanese.