Regulatory Compliance Officer - Payments Fintech Tokyo

A fast-growing global payments fintech is seeking a Regulatory Compliance Officer to lead regulatory engagement, licensing, and compliance operations for its Japan business in Tokyo.

This senior compliance role will act as the primary local point of contact with Japanese financial regulators, including the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA/FSA) and Kanto Local Finance Bureau (KLFB). You will take ownership of local regulatory frameworks covering funds transfer services, electronic payments, AML/CFT, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, customer fund protection, and regulatory reporting.

Working closely with global compliance leadership and senior management, you will also provide regulatory guidance for cross-border payments, merchant partnerships, and new fintech products as the company continues to expand in Japan.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary local regulatory point of contact for the Japan business.
• Lead direct engagement with the JFSA/FSA and Kanto Local Finance Bureau (KLFB) during licensing processes and ongoing regulatory supervision.
• Maintain and enhance local compliance, risk management, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance policies appropriately address funds transfer and electronic payment services in Japan.
• Oversee Japanese AML/CFT policies, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious transaction reporting.
• Manage customer fund protection arrangements and related compliance requirements.
• Oversee security deposit reconciliations and statutory regulatory filings.
• Monitor regulatory requirements and support ongoing license maintenance.
• Provide compliance advice on new cross-border payment products, merchant partnerships, and business initiatives.
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify and manage regulatory and financial crime risks associated with new products.
• Prepare and present compliance and risk reports to global compliance leadership.
• Support the future development and expansion of the local compliance function as the Japan business grows.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

• 6+ years of relevant professional experience, with compliance experience within financial services.
• Experience in payments, B2B fintech, banking, or a related regulated financial services environment.
• Proven experience engaging directly with Japanese financial regulators such as the FSA/JFSA or KLFB.
• Experience supporting regulatory compliance, licensing, risk management, or local governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of financial crime compliance, including AML/CFT and related regulatory requirements.
• Bachelor's degree.

Soft Skills:

• Strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance regulatory requirements and business growth.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth fintech environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills when working with regulators, senior management, and global teams.
• High level of ownership and autonomy when managing local compliance responsibilities.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to identify and communicate regulatory risks.
• Clear communication skills for explaining complex compliance requirements to business stakeholders.

Language Requirements:

• Japanese: Native
• English: Fluent

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Knowledge or practical experience with Japan's Payment Services Act.
• Familiarity with Funds Transfer Service Provider (FTSP) licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with Japanese AML/CFT guidelines and financial crime compliance frameworks.
• CAMS or CFCS certification.
• Experience within payments, account-to-account payments, cross-border fintech, or merchant payment services.
• Experience advising on new payment products and commercial partnerships.
• Experience working in a global fintech or other high-growth financial services organization.
• Experience helping establish or expand a local compliance function.

About the Company

A fast-growing, VC-backed global fintech company delivering real-time account-to-account payments, loyalty infrastructure, and AI-driven cross-border payment solutions for B2B merchants.

The business combines payments technology, loyalty solutions, and international fintech infrastructure to support merchants across multiple markets. As its Japan operations expand, regulatory compliance and strong local governance will play a central role in supporting sustainable growth.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Take ownership of regulatory compliance for a rapidly expanding global payments fintech in Japan.
• Serve as a key local contact for Japanese financial regulators.
• Lead compliance across payments regulation, AML/CFT, licensing, financial crime, and cross-border fintech.
• Work with high autonomy in a standalone local compliance leadership position.
• Help build and expand the Japan compliance team as the business scales.
• Partner directly with C-suite and global compliance leadership.
• Have high visibility and influence over new products, merchant partnerships, and strategic business initiatives.
• Join a VC-backed growth company developing modern payments and fintech solutions.
• Work from a brand-new Tokyo office with modern hybrid flexibility.
• Benefit from remote work/WFH options, casual clothing, and flexible working arrangements.

Don't Miss Out - Apply Now!