StartupsLoans to fledgling Japanese companies fell 10% last yearJapan's Financial Services Agency is targeting legislative changes as soon as 2027 that would boost lending to startups. (Source photos by Nikkei)YUKI NAKAMURAAugust 11, 2026 00:13 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese financial authorities look to help startups raise money more easily by relaxing legal requirements for nontraditional lenders, Nikkei has learned.Read NextStartupsSeed-stage startup funding in Japan sinks 40% as investors grow selectiveImmigrationJapan wants more startups. Its new visa rules say otherwiseOpinionJapan won't become another Silicon Valley. It doesn't need toStartupsJapan to urge startups to explore buyouts instead of IPOsDefenseJapan to support growth of dual-use tech startups with early paymentsInterviewTokyo's reliability draws global startups in volatile world, governor saysStartupsSouth Korea's top tech university emerges as startup powerhouseStartupsASEAN startup funding drought risks creating more zombie firmsLatest on StartupsStartupsJapanese self-driving truck venture T2 raises $30mStartupsThailand to implement startup law by year-end, innovation agency chief saysStartupsJapan startup SolaNika to test tech for charging drones with lasers