Continuous Evolution of JBIC’s Role | JBIC Japan Bank for International Cooperation

As a policy-based financial institution, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has contributed to the sound development of Japan and the international economy and society for more than 70 years since its establishment as the Japan Export Bank in 1950. While diversifying its operations to meet the needs of the changing times, JBIC continues to fulfill its role and the expectations of society.

The Japan Export
Bank established

Name changed to the Export-Import Bank of Japan (JEXIM) in 1952
The Japan Bank
for International Cooperation established

Merger of the Export-Import Bank of Japan and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund
The Japan Finance Corporation established

Merger of JBIC and three domestic policy-based financial institutions
(The international division used the name “Japan Bank for International Cooperation”)
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) established Spun off from
the Japan Finance Corporation
Special Operations launched

The Special Operations was launched in October 2016 to enable Japanese companies to take more risks in their overseas infrastructure projects. While maintaining the principle of income and expenditure for public enterprises, which requires interest rates to be set so that revenues cover expenditures in the total account, Special Operations made it possible to lend to projects where repayment cannot be guaranteed. This had been limited to the realm of infrastructure, but the 2023 amendment broadens the scope of Special Operations to include support for new technologies and business models, as well as startups, allowing further risks to be taken.
Loans for business in developed countries expanded

With the aim of providing broader support for Japanese companies in their overseas operations, support for business in developed countries, which had been limited to rail, airports, and other projects falling under specific industries, has been expanded as follows. This enables JBIC to further support Japanese companies in overseas markets.
JBIC Act amended

In response to the changing international situation surrounding the Japanese economy, the Act for Partial Amendment of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation Act was officially announced in April 2023, and came into effect in October that year to further bolster JBIC’s functions. In line with this law, the following measures were introduced: (1) Enhancement of supply chain resilience to contribute toward maintaining and improving the international competitiveness of Japanese industries; (2) Assistance to Japanese companies, including startups, in further taking risks amid growing expectations for such sectors as digitalization and green initiatives; and (3) Participation in international support for the recovery of Ukraine.

1

Enhancement of supply chain resilience to contribute toward maintaining and improving the international competitiveness of Japanese industries

2

Assistance to Japanese companies, including startups,
in further taking risks

3

Participation in international support for the recovery of Ukraine

What is JBIC?

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is a policy-based financial institution wholly owned by the Japanese government. While its primary purpose is to supplement the services of general financial institutions, its goal is to contribute to the sound development of Japan and the international economy and society through operations including the provision of financial support in pursuit of its four missions.

Four missions

Promoting the overseas development and securement of resources which are important for Japan
Maintaining and improving the international competitiveness of Japanese industries
Promoting the overseas business having the purpose of preserving the global environment, such as preventing global warming
Preventing disruptions to international financial order or taking appropriate measures with respect to damages caused by such disruptions

What is the JBIC Act?

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is a policy-based financial institution established under the Japan Bank for International Cooperation Act (JBIC Act), issued and enacted in May 2011. The forms of support provided by JBIC (e.g., loans, guarantees, investments) are all regulated by law and Cabinet and Ministerial Orders. In keeping with the changing times, JBIC’s operations are revised by amending this act.

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