Ministry of Finance (Japan)

Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) is the central government ministry responsible for national finance, customs, foreign exchange, reserves and assigned international financial policy. In economic statecraft it administers financial restrictions and foreign-investment controls under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA), while other ministries hold related trade, diplomatic and security functions.

FEFTA provides authority for payment and capital-transaction restrictions, asset-freeze implementation and review of specified inward investment. Designations and measures may involve Cabinet decisions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs notices, MOF rules and coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The institutional allocation depends on the measure. MOF does not independently control every export or create every sanctions target.

Japan uses FEFTA to implement United Nations obligations and autonomous or coalition measures. MOF guidance explains targeted financial restrictions on designated persons and regulated transactions involving Russia and Belarus. A requirement for permission is not identical to a criminal conviction or a permanent confiscation of assets.

The Ministry also decides foreign-exchange intervention, with the Bank of Japan acting as its agent, and manages foreign reserves through the Foreign Exchange Fund Special Account. Market intervention is monetary statecraft only when linked to a policy purpose and official act; ordinary exchange-rate movement is not evidence of intervention.

In June 2026, Japan promulgated amendments strengthening foreign-investment screening, including indirect investment and mitigation measures. Operative dates and implementing regulations require a current check. This entry is date-locked to 29 July 2026 and does not treat announced rules as already effective beyond their legal terms.

See also

Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (Japan, 1949, amended 2019) · Bank of Japan · Outbound investment screening · foreign-exchange intervention · Asset freeze

Sources

1. Government of Japan, English translation of the *Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act*.
2. Ministry of Finance Japan, targeted financial sanctions under FEFTA.
3. Ministry of Finance Japan, 2026 Act partially amending FEFTA.
4. Ministry of Finance Japan, monthly foreign-exchange intervention operations.