Japanese
(Provisional Translation)
March 1, 2021
（Japanese version: published January 7, 2021)

Maintenance of the Functions of the Financial System and Financial Markets under the Declaration of a State of Emergency Responding to the Spread of the COVID-19 Infection

(Statement by ASO Taro, Minister of State for Financial Services)

  In response to the extensive spread of the COVID-19 infection, the central government declared a state of emergency on January 7, 2021. Accordingly, the Financial Services Agency asks for continued cooperation from financial institutions and the financial service users as follows from the perspective of maintaining the functions of the financial system and financial markets and preventing further spread of infection. We apologize for the inconvenience but would appreciate your kind cooperation.
 
(Request to financial institutions, etc.)
  Financial institutions in areas subject to emergency measures are requested to make efforts for preventing the spread of infection in line with the policies and requests of the central government and respective prefectures, and to endeavor to properly continue required services based on the basic concept from the perspective of protecting customers and maintaining financial functions to support economic activities of the people, including cash flow support for companies, even under such circumstances.
Financial exchanges are also requested to endeavor to properly continue required services in the same manner from the perspective of maintaining market functions.
Financial institutions outside areas subject to emergency measures are also requested to continue required services while making the utmost efforts for preventing the spread of infection.
 
(Request to financial service users)
  Even in areas subject to emergency measures, deposit-taking institutions will open their branches and continue customer services relating to deposits, exchanges, bills, remittances, loans, ATMs, etc., including cash flow support for companies.
In consideration of the purport of the government's declaration of a state of emergency and respective prefectures' requests for preventing the spread of infection, financial institutions are reducing unnecessary face-to-face services to the extent possible, irrespective of whether they are in areas subject to emergency measures or not. It would be appreciated if you could use the internet, call centers, ATMs, etc. so as to avoid face-to-face contact wherever possible.
Cases of fraud or illegal loans taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic are highly likely to occur. FSA will take countermeasures in cooperation with relevant organizations, but please be fully aware of such risks.


Attachment：Basic Concept of Financial Institutions' Continuation of Business with Customers in the Area Designated in the State of Emergency Declaration