FII Priority ASIA 2025, a platform for actionable change organized by the Saudi Arabia-founded Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, has been held in Tokyo for the first time, marking a resurgence of the capital’s global reputation as a strategic hub for global finance.
The two-day summit in December explored how capital, creativity and technological leadership are reshaping global growth and redefining the world’s economic center of gravity. It was powered by FII Institute, a global, data-driven nonprofit aimed at fostering great minds from around the world and turning ideas into real-world solutions in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, education, healthcare and sustainability.
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Held in collaboration with Mizuho Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Group, FII Priority ASIA 2025 convened heads of state, global investors, policymakers, founders, innovators and Fortune 500 CEOs for high-impact dialogues, curated roundtables, strategic investment exchanges and discussion on the world’s pressing challenges. It spotlighted the accelerating partnerships and investment flows between Asia and the rest of the world, with particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council, and underscored the shared vision of Japan and the Middle East as a strategic bridge linking Asia with Africa, Europe and the Americas, driving inclusive trade, investment and knowledge exchange.
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The hosting in Tokyo of the high-level event built on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia in 2025. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government aims to establish Tokyo as a leading financial hub, focusing on sustainable finance, attracting global talent and developing asset management and FinTech. As part of this effort, Tokyo is leveraging Japan’s strong financial base to compete globally while addressing issues such as climate change and improving living conditions for professionals.
As one of the world’s most advanced, resilient economies and a leader in technology, scientific research and sustainable development, Tokyo offered a unique platform for the high-level discussions of FII Priority ASIA 2025. Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute, said Japan was “the ideal host” thanks to its “respected standing in the global economy, coupled with its commitment to innovation and sustainable development.”
Welcoming attendees, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said: “Tokyo stands out in the world with its cutting-edge culture existing side by side with traditions dating back 400 years,” describing it as “the perfect city for investors” due to its population of some 14 million people and gross regional product of about $700 billion, which accounts for 20% of Japan’s total GDP and makes the city one of the largest economies in Asia.
“Tokyo is also a hub for innovation; home to one of the largest numbers of Fortune global 500 company headquarters in the world and many universities and research organizations,” she continued.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also attended, commenting that “strategic investments that enhance resilience against potential crises [are] the cornerstone of economic growth,” citing public-private collaboration underway to address various risks and societal challenges related to the security of the economy, food, energy and healthcare. She was joined by Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama and several other distinguished government officials.
Japanese speakers explained Tokyo’s strong position as a stable gateway to Asia and framed it as a “new asset class” for venture capital and private equity firms due to its world-class infrastructure and robust governance, which reduce companies’ operational risk, and its unique culture that fuses tradition and innovation, which attracts highly specialized talent. The city is also a hub for deep tech, including cutting-edge medical science, space and quantum, and benefits from a supportive government vision for an investment-driven economy.
As part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s commitment to transform Tokyo as a global financial city, it is implementing various initiatives such as “Contributing to Solving Social Issues through Finance” by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Other such funds aim to create new capital flows to address social issues, such as investments in grid-connected batteries, which are essential for promoting the adoption of renewable energy, and in startups that contribute to improving the wellness of Tokyo residents.
Furthermore, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government holds the Tokyo Financial Award to recognize initiatives that create innovation in the financial sector and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through the power of finance. Under the Financial Innovation Category, for example, Tokyo-based residents and corporations submit requests regarding financial services in Tokyo. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government then chooses a theme to be resolved and asks domestic and foreign financial companies to offer relevant solutions.
In other international collaborations, the Tokyo-London Green Finance Seminar 2025 was co-hosted by the City of London Corporation and Tokyo Metropolitan Government, in partnership with the British Embassy Tokyo, in September. Designed to bolster trade between Japanese and UK financial firms while promoting both cities as global sustainability hubs, the event discussed sustainable finance, green bonds, transition finance (which supports companies towards net-zero emissions as part of a long-term strategy for achieving a decarbonized society).
Speakers also considered how Tokyo will collaborate with London to lead Asia with a financing model that leverages reliable standards and regional characteristics. Through national and local government policies, as well as support for small and medium-sized enterprises, Tokyo aims to serve as a testing ground for a sustainable and resilient society.
In 2026, Tokyo will continue to strive in its development as a Global Financial City through various initiatives. These include the Tokyo-London Financial Seminar 2026, further exchange and cooperation with the City of London Corporation in January, followed by SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, a platform to create sustainable cities by leveraging technology, fostering innovation and tackling urban challenges such as climate change and aging populations, which will be held over April 27–29.
In short, now is the time to invest in Tokyo. The city’s hosting of FII Priority ASIA 2025 is an acknowledgement of its transformation from a mature market to an innovation-led growth hub. As an Asian base and a destination for portfolio diversification and investment in future growth sectors, Tokyo is no longer an option, but a strategically essential city.
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