Cross-Industry Initiative to Establish Self-Regulatory Rules for Individuals Sharing Financial Information on Social Media

The Corporate Consortium for the Future of Financial Education (hereinafter "the Consortium"), led by ABCash Technologies Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuugo Tsuji), will establish a general incorporated association to develop a self-regulatory certification and support system for individuals who share financial and investment information on social media and other platforms (finfluencers, ※1).

In recent years, while more individual investors are beginning to invest based on information from social media, there remains a gray area in financial content dissemination that existing financial regulations cannot fully address. This has created challenges for both information recipients and senders. The new system will be built around three pillars: agreement to a code of conduct established by the Consortium, issuance of a certification badge, and training on responsible financial and investment content creation. The Consortium will begin system design in September 2026, aiming for operational launch in April 2027.

※1 A portmanteau of "finance" and "influencer," referring to individuals who share financial content such as investment advice and personal finance management on social media and video platforms.

◼ Background of the Initiative

In Japan, the "investment advisory business," which provides paid investment advice, is subject to registration and governed by legal regulations. However, financial content shared on social media often falls into a regulatory gray zone that cannot be uniformly addressed under existing financial laws. Moreover, it is difficult under current laws to regulate posts that encourage trading without solid evidence.

According to the National Police Agency, losses from social media-based investment fraud in 2025 totaled approximately 128.8 billion yen, with 9,523 reported cases—both figures representing about 1.5 times the previous year (※2). If this situation continues unchecked, individual investors who rely on such information may suffer significant harm.

Internationally, efforts to regulate individuals sharing financial and investment content are advancing. In 2025, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report on content creators involved in investment advice, highlighting the need for coordinated international action. France has introduced a certification system where authorities provide educational programs for content creators and issue certificates upon completion. In June 2025, authorities from multiple countries and regions, led by the UK, conducted coordinated enforcement actions against inappropriate content creators. Building on these global trends, the Consortium aims to establish a voluntary, self-regulatory framework in Japan.

※2 Source: National Police Agency, "Report on Recognized and Arrested Cases of Special Fraud, SNS-Based Investment Fraud, and Romance Scams in Reiwa 7 (Final Figures)," published June 5, 2026.

◼ Challenges Faced by Finfluencers

As part of this initiative, the Consortium conducted a survey of 23 individuals who share financial and investment content.

The most frequently cited challenge was "lack of objective means to demonstrate the credibility of my content" (60.9%). Other major concerns included "feeling anxious when regulations or laws change" (65.2%) and "worrying whether my content violates laws or guidelines" (47.8%), indicating significant uncertainty about navigating legal and regulatory changes independently.

Additionally, 82.6% of respondents reported having "almost no" or "no" opportunities to receive training or advice from third parties regarding financial content creation.

The survey revealed that many content creators operate without clear standards or reliable support systems. Finfluencers themselves are often working without a solid foundation or guidance.

◼ Overview of the Certification and Support System

The Consortium will develop the system in collaboration with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including financial institutions, financial education providers, content creators, and experts. Rather than imposing uniform restrictions on finfluencers, the goal is to create a self-regulatory framework where responsible creators voluntarily adhere to rules, and their compliance can be verified by audiences.

The system will be based on three core components: agreement to the Consortium’s code of conduct, issuance of a certification badge, and training on responsible financial content creation. Certified creators will be able to display the badge on their profiles and posts, enabling audiences to identify trustworthy sources.

※ It should be noted that this certification does not guarantee the accuracy of individual posts or investment recommendations. It certifies the creator’s commitment to responsible information dissemination.

Future Timeline

The Consortium will proceed with the following schedule:

Timeframe

Initiative

September 2026

Begin drafting code of conduct / Establish expert advisory committee

September 2026 –

Begin establishing general incorporated association

Autumn – End of 2026

Finalize code of conduct / Detailed system design including training programs

February 2027

Host media briefing session for journalists

April 2027

Launch self-regulatory framework / Begin issuing certification badges

※ Details of the system and schedule may be subject to change based on future discussions.

About the Corporate Consortium for the Future of Financial Education

Established in March 2025, the Consortium brings together technology-driven companies aiming to enhance financial literacy among the general public through public-private collaboration.

The Consortium conducts research, public awareness campaigns, develops educational content, and organizes events and seminars to promote financial literacy.

Organization Name: Corporate Consortium for the Future of Financial Education

Representative Director: Yuugo Tsuji

Activities: Research and outreach on financial education, development of educational content, organization of events and seminars, etc.

Company Overview: ABCash Technologies Co., Ltd.

ABCash Technologies Co., Ltd. was founded in 2018 with the mission of "putting an end to financial anxiety." The company is dedicated to creating a new business model that eliminates financial information disparities through financial education services.

Its flagship service, "ABCash," provides personalized financial training through dedicated financial consultants, offering expertise in financial knowledge, asset management, and investment support. As of March 2026, the cumulative number of users has exceeded 90,000.

Company Name: ABCash Technologies Co., Ltd.

Established: February 2, 2018

Representative Director and President: Yuugo Tsuji

Headquarters: 15F, Shibuya Mark City West, 1-12-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Website: https://company.abcash.co.jp/

＜Inquiries regarding this announcement＞

Oya, Public Relations ABCash Technologies Co., Ltd. Tel: 070-1310-4153 / Email: pr@abcash.co.jp