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July 16, 2019
Office for Strategic Policy and ICT Promotion

Tokyo Financial Award, Financial Innovation Category:
Now Accepting Candidate Financial Institutions!

As one project in the “Global Financial City: Tokyo” Vision, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) is hosting the “Tokyo Financial Award.” Since last year, the TMG has been granting a prize to financial institutions who provide and develop innovative products and services that meet Tokyo citizens’ needs and challenges, as well as financial institutions who work to promote ESG investments(*1).
We have asked Tokyo residents about the daily needs and issues that they face in relation to financial services, and have created the themes listed below.
The selection of businesses in the “Financial Innovation Category” will start from today. You are cordially invited to make your submission.
Additionally, we plan to start accepting candidate businesses for the “ESG Investment Category” from the beginning of August.

(*1) ESG (“Environment, Social, Governance”) refers to investment decisions based on an institution’s proactive efforts in combating global warming, empowering women, selecting outside directors, etc.

1　Selection Themes

The Financial Innovation Category includes 25 themes. We are looking for financial institutions who can propose solutions to these issues.

For detailed information, please see the dedicated website.

Fields Themes
Deposits & Withdrawals
  • Inconvenient that there are some procedures which can only be done in bank branches, such as ID verification
  • Difficult to manage different login IDs and passwords and verification method for multiple online bank accounts
  • Hard to find services or functions when using online banking
  • Deposits and withdrawal fees remain high
  • Want a simple and low-cost app for making transfers
Payments
  • Want other convenient cashless payment methods besides e-money
  • Too many different types of e-money makes it a hassle to use
  • The number of stores in Japan that accept credit cards, etc, is limited.
  • Security systems should be strengthened to prevent theft and unauthorized use of cards/smartphones
  • Want to have a payment system platform utilizing transportation/MaaS(*2)
Asset Management
  • Want tools for beginners for learning about investment
  • Want to start investing, but don’t understand how to start
  • Want advice on asset management products that is suitable for the respective customer from a neutral perspective
  • There are few services/goods that can be managed with a smaller amount.
  • Want a new service that allows investment advice to be received which is linked to daily life
Insurance
  • Insurance procedures are inconvenient
  • Difficult to find out status of insurance coverage
  • Want advice on insurance products that is suitable for the respective customer from a neutral perspective
  • Want a service that allows insurance sharing
Financing
  • Want quicker and simpler procedures and examinations of loans
  • Want advice on loans that is neutral and suitable
  • Want a loan service that can accept even start-up companies with low credit ratings
  • Want a loan service tailored to cash flow
Others
  • Want a service that can manage financial assets collectively, such as bank accounts, insurance, securities, inheritance etc.
  • Want to have a new financial service in preparation for the coming age in which life expectancy will average 100 years

(*2) MaaS:“Mobility as a Service”.
MaaS is a concept that views mobility as an integrated service for users, not simply as a means, such as a single mobility service using one app to provide optimum means of transport from a place of departure a destination. (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

２　Selection Details

Eligible institutions Domestic and international financial institutions that offer solutions to citizens’ needs and challenges and who are offering services in, or plan to offer services in, Tokyo.
Submission period From: Tuesday, July 16, 2019
To: Friday, August 23, 2019
# to be selected 3 institutions
Rewards
  • Prize money (by rank: \10 million, \5 million, \3 million)
  • Support program
    (Mentorship program, business matching, provision of development environment, etc.)
How to apply

Please visit the Tokyo Financial Award website to apply:
https://finaward.metro.tokyo.jp/en/

*Please see submission guidelines for details (PDF:671KB).

 

３　Schedule

image of the Schedule

 

Inquiries

Special Zone Strategic Projects Promotion Section
Office for Strategic Policy and ICT Promotion
Phone:+81-3-5388-2144

 

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