The Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) has published draft partial amendments to its Guidelines for Countermeasures against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and opened them for public comment. The draft is intended to promote the ongoing maintenance and sophistication of AML/CFT risk management frameworks at financial institutions and other institutions, reflecting changes in the operating environment including stronger measures to prevent the unauthorized use of savings accounts and the methodology used in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Fifth Examination. The FSA noted it had previously requested institutions to complete system development in line with the Guidelines’ “Matters to be Addressed” by end-March 2024 and that foundational risk management arrangements have largely been put in place. The proposed update is positioned as a next-step refinement to guidance, with further detail set out in an attached comparison table. Comments must be submitted by 17:00 on 19 February 2026 (must arrive). Following the close of the public comment process, the amendments are scheduled to be applied after completion of the necessary procedures.
Japan Financial Services Agency 2026-01-19
Japan Financial Services Agency launches consultation on draft amendments to its AML/CFT Guidelines to strengthen account misuse controls and reflect FATF fifth-round methodology
The Japan Financial Services Agency has released draft amendments to its Guidelines for Countermeasures against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, inviting public comments by 19 February 2026. The amendments aim to enhance AML/CFT risk management frameworks in response to evolving operational environments and align with the Financial Action Task Force's methodology.