[Japanese Senator Satsuki Katayama: Japan is promoting cryptocurrency classification adjustments to reduce the maximum tax rate from 55% to 20%]
Live report from Golden Finance: On August 25, at the WebX2025 conference held in Japan, Japanese Senator Satsuki Katayama expressed a cautious attitude toward central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and emphasized her view that stablecoins are a key entry point for the widespread adoption of the crypto industry.
She pointed out that the international community has concerns about privacy and surveillance risks associated with CBDCs, and there are voices within Japan questioning their decentralized nature. The House of Representatives even proposed banning related explorations. Currently, CBDCs in Japan remain in the research phase and have not entered the commercial implementation stage. Japan is more inclined to prioritize the development of stablecoins.
At present, the younger generation in Japan constitutes the main holders of crypto assets. She noted that Japan is promoting cryptocurrency classification adjustments, planning to shift it from "miscellaneous income" to the regulatory framework of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, aiming to reduce the maximum tax rate from 55% to 20% (aligning with the U.S.). This requires multi-party consultations, with efforts to finalize the plan by the end of the year. If the cryptocurrency tax rate adjustment is implemented, the use of stablecoins in daily transactions may become more widespread, while CBDCs are unlikely to be a priority in the short term. She also revealed that Japan had collaborated with institutions such as the European Central Bank to research CBDCs, but progress has been slow. Future directions will depend on market demand and technological maturity.
Satsuki Katayama has extensive political experience and deep expertise in the financial sector. She has previously served as the head of the Liberal Democratic Party's Financial Research Committee and has played a key role in discussions on Japan's financial policies and cryptocurrency regulatory directions. She currently serves on the Senate Judiciary and Audit Committees, continuing to participate in decision-making on financial policy and regulatory issues.