Revision of AML/CFT Guidelines for Financial Institutions
Summary
The Japan Financial Services Agency revised its Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism along with corresponding FAQs. The revisions aim to strengthen financial institutions' AML/CFT frameworks. Both the updated guidelines and FAQ document were published on March 31, 2026.
What changed
The FSA announced completion of revisions to its AML/CFT Guidelines and associated FAQs for financial institutions. The press release provides links to two PDF documents—the revised guidelines and the updated FAQ document—effective March 31, 2026. The specific content of amendments is contained in the linked PDFs and not detailed in this announcement.
Compliance officers at Japanese banks and financial institutions should obtain and review the revised guidelines and FAQs to identify changes to AML/CFT obligations. Internal policies and procedures should be updated to align with the revised framework. The contact office is the Strategy Development and Management Bureau AML/CFT Policy Office at the FSA.
What to do next
- Obtain and review the revised Guidelines for AML/CFT
- Review updated FAQs to understand interpretive guidance
- Update internal AML/CFT policies and procedures to reflect revisions
Source document (simplified)
March 31, 2026
Financial Services Agency
Revision of "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism"
The FSA revised "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism" and "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism""("FAQs"), in order to promote maintenance and enhancement of financial institutions' AML/CFT framework.
- "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism"
- "Frequently Asked Questions Regarding "Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism""
- The original texts of these documents are prepared in Japanese, and this translation is only provisional. The translation is to be used solely as reference material to aid the understanding of these documents and is subject to any future changes.
Contact Strategy Development and Management Bureau AML/CFT Policy Office
Tel +81-(0)3-3506-6000(ext.2771,2598)
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