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Job seekers: Explore opportunities and grow your career with us. Japan’s financial services sector enters 2026 with stable salaries and growing flexibility for high-impact professionals. As fintech, asset management, and venture capital firms expand, demand is rising for talent skilled in compliance, AML/KYC, and sanctions oversight.  Additionally, government initiatives tightening financial and data regulations continue to shape hiring priorities, particularly for compliance officers, in-house legal counsel, and finance managers with cross-border experience. AI adoption remains cautious due to strict privacy rules, though automation is streamlining KYC and reporting processes.  Employers are attracting scarce bilingual professionals by offering certification support (CA, CPA, ACAMS, CISA) and opportunities for global mobility. However, talent shortages persist at the mid-level, as the workforce skews older and highly tenured, slowing recruitment cycles.  Foreign entrants face challenges aligning global standards with Japan’s unique licensing and compliance landscape, underscoring the need for localized hiring strategies.   Looking ahead, fintech, private equity, and real estate investment are expected to drive growth, with companies that balance competitive pay, flexibility, and regulatory fluency best positioned to secure top talent. Hiring managers: Get customized salary data and insights from a Robert Half talent solutions professional.

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Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role. Our salaries do not include bonuses, benefits or perks.
Financial Services Risk Legal
Position title 25th percentile 50th percentile 75th percentile Investment Manager Senior Associate 9000000 12000000 15000000 Investment Manager Associate 7000000 9000000 12000000 Investment Manager AVP 10000000 13000000 16000000 Investment Manager SVP 18000000 20000000 22000000 Investment Manager VP 16000000 18000000 20000000 Project Finance Analyst 6000000 7000000 8500000 Project Finance Associate 8000000 10000000 12000000 Project Finance Manager 8500000 11500000 14000000 Project Finance AVP 10000000 12000000 16000000 Project Finance VP 14500000 17000000 19500000 Project Finance SVP 15000000 18000000 21000000 Project Finance Director 20500000 22000000 23500000 Project Finance Managing Director 23500000 26000000 28500000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Associate 5500000 6500000 8000000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Senior Associate 8000000 9500000 11000000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Manager 10500000 12000000 13000000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Senior Manager 12500000 13500000 14500000 Financial Advisory & Consulting VP 15000000 18000000 21000000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Director 15000000 16500000 18000000 Financial Advisory & Consulting Partner 19000000 23500000 28500000 Financial Control Analyst 6500000 7500000 8000000 Financial Control Associate 8500000 11000000 13500000 Financial Control Manager 12000000 14000000 16000000 Financial Control AVP 12000000 14000000 16000000 Financial Control VP 14000000 16000000 18500000 Financial Control SVP 19000000 21500000 24500000 Financial Control Director 18000000 20000000 22000000 Financial Control Managing Director 26500000 28500000 31000000 Internal Audit Analyst (Financial Services) 6000000 7000000 8000000 Internal Audit Associate (Financial Services) 9000000 9500000 11500000 Internal Audit Manager (Financial Services) 12000000 14000000 16000000 Internal Audit AVP (Financial Services) 12000000 14000000 16000000 Internal Audit VP (Financial Services) 15000000 17000000 19000000 Internal Audit SVP (Financial Services) 19000000 21000000 23000000 Internal Audit Director (Financial Services) 18000000 20000000 22000000 Internal Audit Managing Director (Financial Services) 25000000 27500000 31500000 Management Reporting Analyst (Financial Services) 6500000 7500000 8000000 Management Reporting Associate 7500000 10500000 14000000 Management Reporting Manager 12000000 14000000 16000000 Management Reporting AVP 12000000 14000000 16000000 Management Reporting VP 15000000 16500000 18000000 Management Reporting SVP 19000000 21500000 24500000 Management Reporting Director 18000000 20000000 22000000 Management Reporting Managing Director 20000000 22000000 24000000 Tax Analyst (Financial Services) 6500000 8000000 9000000 Tax Associate (Financial Services) 9500000 12000000 14500000 Tax Manager (Financial Services) 12000000 14000000 16000000 Tax AVP (Financial Services) 12000000 14000000 16000000 Tax VP (Financial Services) 15000000 17000000 18500000 Tax SVP (Financial Services) 19000000 20000000 21500000 Tax Director (Financial Services) 18000000 20000000 22000000 Tax Managing Director (Financial Services) 23000000 26500000 30000000 Fund Accountant Associate (Financial Services) 6000000 7000000 8000000 Fund Accountant Manager (Financial Services) 8000000 11500000 15000000 Fund Accountant AVP (Financial Services) 10000000 12000000 14000000 Fund Accountant SVP (Financial Services) 10000000 15000000 20000000 Fund Accountant Director (Financial Services) 15000000 18000000 20000000 Fund Accountant Managing Director (Financial Services) 18000000 20000000 22000000 Financial Crime Compliance Manager (Financial Services) 12000000 15000000 18000000 Financial Crime Compliance AVP (Financial Services) 10000000 14000000 18000000 Financial Crime Compliance VP (Financial Services) 15000000 18000000 20000000 Financial Crime Compliance SVP (Financial Services) 18000000 20000000 22000000 Financial Crime Compliance Director (Financial Services) 18000000 24000000 30000000 Financial Crime Compliance Managing Director (Financial Services) 20000000 25000000 30000000
25th percentile
The candidate is new to the role or has limited experience and is building necessary skills.
50th percentile
The candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.
75th percentile
The candidate has extensive experience and advanced skills for the role, and may also have specialized certifications.

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Top priorities and in-demand skills in financial services

With new regulations and compliance standards emerging, demand is rising for professionals skilled in governance, regulatory frameworks, and automation. Hiring managers are prioritizing candidates with both global perspective and Japan-specific licensing and compliance experience. Growth of fintech, asset management, and venture capital firms Strengthening compliance and sanctions oversight Expanding automation and GRC system use New government financial regulations AML, KYC, and financial crime compliance IFRS, GAAP, and reporting standards Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) automation tools Bilingual communication and cross-border regulatory coordination

Hiring challenges and retention strategies for financial services

Japan’s financial services sector faces a tightening talent market, particularly in compliance, legal, and investment roles. To retain professionals, firms are focusing on higher salaries, career mobility, and flexible arrangements, while promoting international exposure through regional transfers and training. Shortage of bilingual professionals Difficulty filling mid-level roles Complex licensing requirements Limited flexibility and long hiring processes Higher salaries & clear career progression Overseas onboarding & international rotations Support for certifications & compliance education Flexible work policies & open communication with global HQ
Japan’s financial services sector is thriving as global firms expand. Rising inflation, low borrowing costs, and a weaker yen are boosting equity and bond trading, attracting foreign investment. However, the sector faces an unprecedented talent war as shortages persist. For finance professionals, it’s a seller’s market, with high salaries, multiple offers, and rare career opportunities.* YoY increase in the total value of publicly announced deals involving Japanese companies.* YoY increase in the total value of publicly announced deals involving Japanese companies.*

YoY increase in experienced-hire job postings at financial institutions in Japan.** YoY increase in experienced-hire job postings at financial institutions in Japan.**

In-demand roles, certifications and top industries

With new compliance and regulatory frameworks emerging, demand is rising for professionals who combine legal, financial, and governance expertise. Employers are prioritizing candidates with cross-border experience, licensing knowledge, and commercial insight to navigate Japan’s evolving financial landscape.  Key roles in financial services driving Japan’s hiring market: Compliance SVP / Director In-house Legal Counsel Fund Accounting (Associate to AVP) Investment Manager Finance Manager
In Japan’s financial services sector, certifications play a key role in validating expertise across governance, risk, and compliance. Employers value certifications that demonstrate both technical skill and an understanding of Japan’s complex regulatory environment. Top certifications for financial services professionals in Japan:   CA / CPA / CPTA ACAMS (Anti-Money Laundering Certification) CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) JSDA (Japan Securities Dealers Association qualification)
New entrants and evolving regulations are driving demand for finance professionals who can manage risk, ensure compliance, and support digital transformation. With technology reshaping how financial institutions operate, opportunities are emerging across traditional banking, investment, and next-generation financial platforms. Industries driving Japan’s financial services hiring in 2026:   Fintech and digital banking Retail brokerage Real estate investment and asset management Private equity Venture capital

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The salary benchmarks listed in Robert Half's Salary Guide are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across in Japan.   The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Company size, industry and the availability of remote work options can influence salaries. Our salaries do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.  Non-salary data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on third-party research and all external data sources are explicitly cited throughout. Sources:  *Bloomberg. (2025). Demand for young talent at ‘extraordinary levels’ – Hiring competition intensifies in Japan’s financial industry. **HRog. (2025). June 2025 financial institutions mid-career hiring trends report.
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