A Samurai loan is a yen-denominated syndicated loan issued in Japan by a non-Japanese (foreign) company or entity. These loans are typically arranged by Japanese banks to provide borrowers with access to lower interest rates and deep Japanese liquidity, while allowing lenders to diversify their portfolios.
Samurai bond is a yen-denominated corporate bond issued in Japan by foreign companies. Companies issue this type of bond to get access to the Japanese market and benefit from low interest rates. Samurai bonds attract investors in Japan since the bonds hedge the currency variation risk.
Seven common types of loans include Personal Loans, Auto Loans, Student Loans, Mortgage Loans, Home Equity Loans, Payday Loans, and Debt Consolidation Loans, each serving different financial needs, from major purchases like cars and homes to consolidating debt or managing unexpected expenses.
The key difference between shogun bonds and samurai bonds lies in the currency denomination. While samurai bonds are yen-denominated bonds issued in Japan by non-Japanese entities, shogun bonds are also issued in Japan but denominated in a currency other than the yen.
Yes, US citizens can legally buy property and get mortgages in Japan. No laws are stopping you from applying. But without permanent residency, getting a home mortgage loan will be challenging.
Famous female samurai (Onna-musha) names include Tomoe Gozen, Hangaku Gozen, Nakano Takeko, and Tachibana Ginchiyo, known for their bravery in battle, while modern names like Akai, Hikaru, Chiyo, and Kaihime are inspired by warrior qualities or historical figures, often meaning "light," "sea," or "princess," reflecting strength and beauty in Japanese tradition.
In 1185, the emperor's power collapsed and Japan fell under military rule. The country's de facto ruler was now the shogun, who was the head of the strongest samurai clan at the time. The shogun in turn staffed his government with samurai.
The 4 Cs of lending are Capacity, Capital, Credit, and Collateral, a framework lenders use to assess a borrower's creditworthiness by evaluating their ability to repay a loan, their existing financial reserves, their credit history, and the assets securing the loan, respectively. These factors help lenders gauge risk, making it easier for borrowers with strong profiles to get approved for mortgages and other loans.
Japanese samurai reward for the service was about 200 koku of rice. In other words their annual salary was 200 x 150 kg of rice. The samurai used to get their salary from daimyo as “rice” not in cash. Most samurai were able to read and write.
Financial Samurai is among the largest independently-owned personal finance websites, established in 2009. Everything is written based on firsthand experience and expertise.
Starting in 2026, Japan has officially ended its instant tax-free shopping system for tourists. Here's what that means for YOU: You'll now pay the full price upfront, including Japan's 10% consumption tax. To get your tax back, you'll need to apply for a refund later — possibly at airports or designated counters.
Except for rare cases, such as Tomoe Gozen in the 12th century or Akai Teruko in the 16th, women rarely fought on the battlefield. That is not to say, however, that they did not take part in the martial sphere of samurai culture. Many were trained in weapons and martial arts.
The samurai is an important symbol in Japanese culture and should not be mocked with a costume.
Yes, Shōgun (both the new series and James Clavell's novel) is based on true historical figures and events, particularly the arrival of English navigator William Adams in Japan around 1600 and the power struggles leading to the Tokugawa shogunate, but it is historical fiction, meaning names are changed (John Blackthorne for Adams, Lord Toranaga for Tokugawa Ieyasu) and fictional elements are added for dramatic effect, like the intertwined story of Lady Mariko.
The midaidokoro (御台所) was the official wife of the shōgun. During the Edo period, she resided in the Ōoku of Edo Castle and sometimes wielded considerable political power behind the scenes.
Consider firstly that a lot of Samurai marriages were arranged for alliance and family-wealth purposes, and not necessarily unions of love. Fidelity of husband towards wife was not a social expectation (though the wife's fidelity WAS expected, in most eras).
Over 80% of Japan's landmass is covered by mountains and forests, creating a rugged, volcanic landscape that forces most of the population into narrow coastal plains and cities, with significant areas dedicated to volcanic activity and dense coniferous forests. This mountainous terrain, including the Japan Alps, makes Japan one of the world's most mountainous countries, with features like Mt. Fuji.
The cost of groceries is about the same throughout Japan: A gallon of milk costs about USD$4.50-$5.50.