Japan’s 2026 Tax Reform Blueprint Maps Out New Framework for Crypto Assets: Report

Japan’s ruling coalition has released its 2026 tax reform blueprint outlining a potential shift in how cryptocurrencies are treated under the country’s tax system, according to a CoinPost report.

Published on December 19 by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, the reform plan is a move away from viewing crypto assets purely as speculative instruments and toward positioning them as financial products that can contribute to long-term wealth building.

According to CoinPost the blueprint explores classifying crypto assets alongside traditional financial products such as stocks and investment funds.

As part of this approach, policymakers are also considering the introduction of separate taxation for certain types of crypto-related income, aligning the sector more closely with Japan’s established capital markets framework.

Separate Taxation Under Consideration — Not for All Crypto Income

A key focus of the reform is the possible application of separate taxation to gains from spot crypto trading, derivatives transactions, and crypto-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

If implemented, this would mark a major departure from Japan’s current system where most crypto income is treated as miscellaneous income and subject to progressive tax rates.

The blueprint stops short of applying separate taxation across the board. CoinPost notes that staking and lending rewards which generate income through holding crypto rather than price appreciation are not explicitly covered in the proposal.

These forms of income may continue to fall under general taxation rules, depending on how future legislation defines income categories.

Loss Carryforward and Limits to Offsetting

Another notable factor is the proposal is to allow loss carryforwards for up to three years on qualifying crypto transactions. This would bring crypto taxation closer to the treatment of stocks and FX trading in Japan where investors can offset future gains with past losses.

The reform does not suggest broad cross-asset loss offsetting. Even if crypto gains become subject to separate taxation, losses from crypto trading are unlikely to be offset against profits from equities or other asset classes. Income categories are expected to remain strictly separated.

NFTs and Scope of Eligible Assets Remain Unclear

The blueprint does not explicitly address non-fungible tokens (NFTs), indicating that NFT-related income may continue to be taxed under the general system.

The reform refers to transactions involving “specified crypto assets,” implying that only assets handled by registered operators under Japan’s financial regulatory framework may qualify for the new tax treatment.