Japan Ministry of Finance to Launch Study Group on On-Chain JGB Settlement

The Japanese Ministry of Finance is establishing a study group to explore the feasibility of real-time settlement for Japanese Government Bond (JGB) transactions using blockchain technology. The group, which includes researchers from the University of Tokyo and Waseda University alongside private strategists, will hold its first meeting on October 8. With participation from the Bank of Japan and the Financial Services Agency, the study aims to evaluate the pros and cons of transitioning from the current T+1 settlement practice to on-chain, real-time settlement by the end of the year.