Message from JCIF

The Japan Center for International Finance (JCIF) was established in 1983. It has steadily grown to the status of a globally recognized research institution for international finance, backed by the support of its member companies and constituents.

In recent years, significant advance in information technology has further accelerated the globalization of economy and finance. Never before was the impact of information on various asset prices as well as world economy and finance so significant than today.

Financial world has been experiencing rapid innovation. Accordingly, risks entailed in financial transactions have become more and more diversified and complicated. It is very difficult, therefore, to appropriately assess the risks. In fact, insufficient risk assessment is considered one of the causes of turmoil in the global financial market since August 2007 due to the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis or of deepening global financial crisis triggered by bankruptcy of a U.S. investment bank in September 2008.

Mutual economic influences among countries are also much bigger and more rapid compared with the past. Fast-growing emerging countries, including BRICs, have been recently affecting the global economy at large. On the other hand, sharp downturn in the major Western economies since the fall of 2008 has instantly spread throughout the world, causing a substantial decline of other countries' growth rate.

Timely and accurate understanding of the latest developments of global economy has become extremely important for the international business.

Economists at JCIF analyze a wide range of information on individual countries in charge from various sources, and provide valuable reports on current topics.

JCIF's core business is country risk analysis on about 70 countries. We timely deliver information indispensable for our members' operations abroad, such as overseas investment and tie-up with foreign partners.

Economist at JCIF makes every effort to make their risk assessment accurate and unbiased. For that purpose, they collect first-hand information by making a regular visit to countries in charge and by discussing our overseas staff, as well as they refer to information published by international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), national governments and central banks, and they hear from market participants. These research experiences gave opportunity to past fellow researchers of JCIF to continue their research activities at institutions such as IMF or Asian Development Bank. In other words, JCIF emphasizes international human resources development as well. Via internet, JCIF provides the members free of charge with swift and easy access to information.

In addition, JCIF's activities expand to publishing reports and data on international finance, organizing seminars and lectures and arranging technical assistance programs for transition and developing countries. Moreover, JCIF offers information such as country outlines and data or economic outlooks to non-members as well.

JCIF is determined to be always a reliable partner for the members, listening thoroughly and constantly to the members' opinion.