What is the difference between the SVB crisis and Japanese banks?
Although the scale of valuation losses may seem similar, the structural conditions are different
SVB (2023)
Japanese Banking Sector (2026)
Deposit Base
Deposits concentrated in startups and venture capital — simultaneous large-scale withdrawals by a few possible
Diversified base centered on household deposits — community-oriented, low possibility of sudden simultaneous withdrawals
Accounting Treatment
High proportion of Available-for-Sale (AFS) securities, so market losses are immediately reflected in financial statements
High proportion of Held-to-Maturity (HTM) securities, so the obligation for market valuation itself is limited
Authority/Market Judgment
Judged as lacking hedges against rapid interest rate hikes and having weak capital buffers
Japan's FSA: "Fundamentally different from SVB" — Sufficient capital buffers, stock valuation gains offset losses