Money Forward Establishes Research Institute to Aid Decision Making

Establishment of Money Forward Research Institute

On October 1, 2025, the Money Forward Group established the "Money Forward Research Institute" to support better decision-making for individuals, businesses, and government agencies. Along with this announcement, a dedicated webpage has been launched to detail the institute's roles, research fields, members, and past research outcomes.

Background for Establishment

The ongoing issues of declining birth rates and an aging population, along with the digital transformation of society and the proliferation of AI technologies, have greatly altered the landscape we operate in. These structural changes have led to increasingly complex challenges and decision-making processes faced by consumers, businesses, and government entities.

Traditionally, Money Forward Group has focused on research and service development primarily in the Fintech sector. However, it has become evident that the data and insights they possess can be applied to a wider array of themes beyond finance, extending to various social and economic issues. Therefore, the group decided to broaden their research scope and create the Money Forward Research Institute, dedicated to supporting better decision-making processes across various sectors.

The institute will conduct comprehensive research, not only on Fintech but also on utilizing household and corporate data to analyze economic realities. It will also explore policies and systems, ensuring that its research topics cover a wide range of areas, including corporate activities and social systems. Participation from members with diverse backgrounds in data analysis, economics, and public policy adds significant value to the institute's research endeavors.

Commentary from Institute Director Toshio Taki

Toshio Taki, the director of the Money Forward Research Institute, emphasizes the importance of providing actionable insights that allow individuals, businesses, and administrations to make informed decisions. The data we encounter daily from households and companies contains valuable insights that can reflect social changes. He believes it is the institute's mission to handle user data responsibly while extracting its value to support societal decision-making.

Taki notes that research cannot be conducted in isolation. He stresses the necessity of deepening collaborations with various stakeholders, including government agencies, corporations, and researchers, to facilitate open discussions. Upholding Money Forward's core values of "User Focus" and "Fairness," he aims to foster partnerships with external researchers, governmental organizations, and companies to disclose research findings, visualize societal challenges, and present options for improvement to drive appropriate decision-making.

Introduction of Research Members

The Money Forward Research Institute comprises members with diverse expertise in Fintech, data analysis, and economic policy:

- Director: Toshio Taki (Executive Officer, Sustainability at Money Forward)
- Senior Fellows:

- Akira Ie (Representative Director of the Association for Online Factoring)
- Yoko Konishi (Professor at the University of Tsukuba, Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)

- Fintech Research Team:

- Akihiro Hirose (Research Head)
- Kento Teramoto (Researcher)

- Economic and Policy Research Team:

- Takushi Kubo (Data Analyst Scientist)
- Ryo Yoshizumi (Data Analyst Scientist)
- Takayuki Ueki (Policy Specialist)
- Tsuyoshi Okabe (Policy Specialist)

For more detailed profiles of each researcher, please visit the Money Forward Research Institute's website.
Institute Website