Japan’s government debt is coming under intense pressure, with long-term bond yields climbing to levels not seen in years.
As traditional buyers back away, the country’s largest deposit holder, Japan Post Bank, is preparing a bold pivot: launching a digital yen alternative by 2026.
Breaking with Tradition
For decades, Japanese insurers and trust banks were reliable buyers of super-long government bonds. That trend has reversed. Insurers are now net sellers, and trust banks have slashed purchases to nearly one-third of their normal levels. With demand collapsing, the 10-year yield has surged beyond 1.6% and the 30-year yield is now above 3.1%, a sign of serious strain in a market once thought unshakable.
Post Bank’s Digital Gamble
Rather than double down on a faltering system, Japan Post Bank wants to connect its 120 million accounts to DCJPY, a blockchain-based currency developed by DeCurret DCP. Pegged directly to the yen, the token would allow instant transfers between savings accounts and digital wallets.
This move isn’t only about payments. Depositors would be able to invest directly into tokenized products — such as digital bonds or security tokens — with potential returns in the 3–5% range. Analysts expect this space to balloon, with forecasts suggesting tokenized real-world assets could expand from $600 billion in 2025 to nearly $19 trillion by 2033.
Wider Ambitions
DCJPY may also become a tool for public administration. Discussions are underway with local governments about delivering grants and subsidies through the new system, making financial support faster and cheaper to distribute. The idea reflects Japan’s broader strategy: use blockchain not just for speculation but as a foundation for next-generation finance.
Alternatives Rise
The pressure in bond markets has not gone unnoticed by private companies. Some, like Metaplanet, are bypassing debt markets altogether and steadily increasing their Bitcoin holdings. Even with the cryptocurrency under selling pressure recently, these firms see digital assets as a hedge against the very instability now shaking Japan’s bond market.
The combination of strained debt markets, experimental digital money, and corporate Bitcoin adoption suggests Japan is entering a new financial era — one where old pillars are crumbling, and new systems are being tested in real time.
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Source: https://coindoo.com/japanese-bank-shocks-markets-with-digital-currency-plan/