December 21, 2011
Announcement of successful candidates for the Second CFP® Certification Examination in 2011
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) today announced the candidates who have successfully passed the Second CFP® Certification Examination held in 2011. This examination was held in ten cities throughout Japan on November 13 and 20, 2011, and a total of 7,134 sat for the examination, of which 610 passed all six subjects, resulting in a pass rate of 8.6%.
Those 610 successful candidates must complete the Practice and Ethics Program for CFP® certification and fulfill a further three years of experience requirement prior to CFP® certifications being granted.
JAFP introduced the CFP® certification program into Japan in 1992, and as of December 1,2011 there are 17,851 CFP® certificants in this country.
The CFP® Certification Examination is held twice a year by JAFP in June and November. The next examination is scheduled on June 10 and 17,2012.
October 6, 2011
Various seminars and consultations on life and money provided nationwide by financial planners around FP Day (November 5)
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) has designated the first Saturday in November each year as "FP Day," which this year falls on November 5. For a period of one month before and after "FP Day", a series of events including free seminars and consultations in connection with life and money by financial planners will be held in every prefecture (all 50 chapters) throughout Japan. These events are the largest-scale public education activities offered by JAFP and are endorsed by the Financial Services Agency.
Last year a total of 6,521 peｒsons attended seminars and 595 persons sought consultations throughout Japan. The seminars and consultations were highly evaluated by all participants. The eighth "FP Day" will take place with the slogan; "Make Your Dreams Come True," for the benefit of local consumers. A variety of events that are useful to their individual daily lives, including money-related seminars and individual financial planning consultations, will be held. The seminars will cover a wide-range of topics from management of household finance, life planning, home mortgages, to planning for life after retirement. In addition, some chapters will offer financial education activities specifically targeting children. JAFP chapter members will come together to present a series of highly original events.
The objective of JAFP in holding these events is to bring financial planning closer to consumers throughout Japan and encourage them to consider the necessity of life planning and the importance of money for realizing hopes and dreams. The events also provide an opportunity to inform consumers about the importance of financial planning.
As the long-lasting economic downturn brings forth a sense of uneasiness about the consumers' daily household finances and life after retirement, JAFP will offer all seminars and consultations free of charge to give consumers opportunities to clear their concerns and questions about life and money.
August 23, 2011
Consumers are facing the necessity of reviewing their life plan as a result of the lingering recession and the Great East Japan Earthquake
Results of FY2010 "FP Public Relations Center Telephone Consultations", "Life and Money FP Consulting Center", and "Free Telephone Consultations to Help Disaster Victims Rebuild Their Livelihoods" started since May 2011 are announced
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) has announced the number of consultations "FP Public Relations Center Telephone Consultations" and "Life and Money FP Consulting Center" provided for the year 2010 (April 2010 to March 2011) for free of charge. In addition, the numbers for "Free Telephone Consultations to Help Disaster Victims Rebuild Their Livelihoods" have been compiled for the period between May through July this year. This service has begun in May 2011.
As an NPO engaged in public education activities, JAFP hopes that these consultation services will help consumers to ease their worries and concerns about money and will give the opportunities to build their future well beings.
(Summary Results of FY2010 "FP Public Relations Center" (telephone consultations))
The most consulted topic for the telephone consultations was "lifelong financial planning", such as how best to obtain home mortgages, current mortgage review, and retirement planning relying on the income from pensions and social security, followed by "financial asset planning", "inheritance", "insurance" and "real estate."
Top five topics for consultations
(Cumulative total for the period: April 2010 to March 2011)
| Rank |
Consultation Topics |
No. of Consultations |
| 1 |
Lifelong Financial Planning |
566 |
| 2 |
Financial asset planning |
198 |
| 3 |
Inheritance |
120 |
| 4 |
Insurance |
116 |
| 5 |
Real estate |
57 |
(Summary Results of FY2010 "Life and Money FP Consulting Center" (face-to-face consultations))
The face-to-face consultations showed the similar results; "lifelong financial planning" was the most consulted topic followed by "review of life insurance", "review of home mortgages", and "review of household finances". The results suggest that the consumers are seriously interested in seeking to engage in face-to-face consultations with financial planners to improve their household finances as a result of the economic downturn.
Top five topics for consultations
(Cumulative total for the period: April 2010 to March 2011)
| Rank |
Consultation Topics |
No. of Consultations |
| 1 |
Lifelong financial planning |
138 |
| 2 |
Review of life insurance |
116 |
| 3 |
Review of home mortgages |
111 |
| 4 |
New home mortgages |
92 |
| 5 |
Review of household finances |
88 |
(Summary Results of "Free Telephone Consultations to Help Disaster Victims Rebuild Their Livelihoods" started since May 2011)
In May 2011, JAFP has started to offer free telephone consultations to those who suffered from devastating damages due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. To help them rebuild their livelihoods, the consultations are conducted by financial planners to assist to ease their concerns about life and money.
Top five topics for consultations
(Cumulative total for the period: May 7 to July 31, 2011)
| Rank |
Consultation Topics |
No. of Consultations |
| 1 |
Housing (Renovations, etc.) |
89 |
| 2 |
Disaster victims assistance programs |
66 |
| 3 |
Home mortgages |
49 |
| 4 |
Life planning |
39 |
| 5 |
Handbooks / Booklets (request) |
23 |
July 20, 2011
Announcement of successful candidates for the First CFP® Certification Examination in 2011
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) today announced the candidates who have successfully passed the First CFP® Certification Examination held in 2011. This is the 32nd CFP® Certification Examination and it was held in ten cities throughout Japan on June 12 and 19, 2011. A total of 7,768 sat for the examination, of which 608 passed all six subjects, resulting in a pass rate of 7.8%.
Those 608 successful candidates must complete the Practice and Ethics Program for CFP® certification and fulfill a further three years of experience requirement prior to CFP® certifications being granted.
JAFP introduced the CFP® certification program into Japan in 1992, and as of July 1, 2011 there are 17,806 CFP® certificants in this country.
The CFP® Certification Examination is held twice a year by JAFP in June and November. The next examination is scheduled on November 13 and 20, 2011.
June 14, 2011
Free Telephone Consultation Services to Help Disaster Victims Rebuild Their Livelihoods
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) has launched a free telephone consultation service from May this year to provide advice and support to disaster victims to rebuild their livelihoods in the Tohoku region of Japan, which suffered devastating damage due to the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11. Through this pro-bono service, financial planners will respond to their questions and concerns about life and money.
* The financial planners who are participating in this free telephone consultation services are CFP® certificants and AFP certificants approved by JAFP.
May 24, 2011
Booklet to promote personal finance education for college students
Publication of "Money & Career for Students - A Useful Handbook!"
Distribution to colleges launched in April 2011, for use in career seminars and workshops
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) has published a "Money & Career for Students - A Useful Handbook" to promote personal finance education for college students and its distribution to colleges was begun in April 2011. The handbook is useful for college students in all fields, particularly at orientation sessions for freshmen as well as in career seminars and workshops.
May 18, 2011
A unique contest that encourages elementary school students to create their own "life plan sheets," based on their "dreams for the future" that set out paths to realizing these dreams!
The Fifth "National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True"
Organizer: Japan Association for Financial Planners
Application Period: Wednesday, June 1, 2011 to Monday, October 31, 2011
Text Book: Learn through Manga Series, Secrets to Have Dreams Come True- The Works of Financial Planners in Life Planning
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) will hold the Fifth "National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True" (Application period: June 1 to October 31), for elementary school students.
May 18, 2011
"My Future Career" as expressed by the 1,566 students who took part in the Fourth National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True
The most popular career among elementary school students is "baseball player" for boys and "pâtissier (pastry chef)" for girls
● For boys, the 2nd most popular career choice of "football player" is very close to the 1st choice of "baseball player"!
Baseball and football players are by far the most popular choices, ranking far above the rest of other career choices.
● For girls, the top-ranked career is "pâtissier (pastry chef)."
Fashion and beauty related careers ranked high; "fashion designer" in 6th place and "beautician" in 8th place.
● Doctor and teacher are popular for both boys and girls.
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) last year held the Fourth National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True aimed at elementary school students all over Japan. Applications were accepted between June 1 and October 31, 2010, with the results of the contest announced on February 26, 2011. JAFP has summarized the results with regard to what occupations students would like to be in the future, based on the content of their essays.
■Future Career (Top 10)
＜Boys＞
| Rank |
Future Career |
Number |
| 1 |
Baseball player |
117 |
| 2 |
Football player |
108 |
| 3 |
Medical doctor |
31 |
| 4 |
Game designer |
26 |
| 5 |
Scholar or researcher |
24 |
| 6 |
Basketball player |
20 |
| 7 |
Carpenter |
17 |
| 8 |
Police officer |
15 |
| 9 |
Teacher |
14 |
| 10 |
Business person |
13 |
|
|
＜Girls＞
| Rank |
Future Career |
Number |
| 1 |
Pâtissier (pastry chef) |
92 |
| 2 |
Nursery school teacher |
64 |
| 3 |
Nurse |
48 |
| 4 |
Medical doctor |
41 |
| 4 |
Teacher |
41 |
| 6 |
Fashion designer |
29 |
| 7 |
Manga artist |
28 |
| 8 |
Beautician or hair & make-up artist |
26 |
| 9 |
Novelist or writer |
16 |
| 9 |
Veterinary doctor or nurse |
16 |
|
March 3, 2011
JAFP Third Grade Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning Examination Results!
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) today announced the examinees who have successfully passed the Third Grade Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning Examination, a national certification, which was conducted in January 2011.
JAFP conducted the examination on Sunday, January 23, 2011, for the first time, in 50 cities in all 47 prefectures. 5,207 examinees have successfully passed the examination, which consists of knowledge-based and practice-skill examinations (financial planning recommendations). A total of 5,894 persons sat for both examinations, resulting in an 85.56% pass rate.
JAFP plans to conduct the Third Grade Certified Skilled Worker of Financial Planning Examination three times a year (in May, September, and January). The next examination is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2011.
February 28, 2011
Announcement of the Results of the Fourth National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) has announced the prize winners in its Fourth National Elementary School Essay Contest for Secrets to Have Dreams Come True, which was held during this fiscal year. JAFP holds this contest for elementary school students throughout the country as part of JAFP activities in personal finance education which contribute to enrichment and improvement of national citizens' lives, with the aim of enlightening children about drawing out a life plan and the importance of money.
The theme of the contest is "My Dreams for the Future." It is unique in that contestants are required to submit two documents in a set: a "Life Plan Sheet" that sets out specific efforts they intend to make and for what purposes money will be required to fulfill their dreams, and an essay in which they describe their feelings, thoughts and pictures about their dreams for the future.
The contest received a total of 1,566 applications during the application period from June 1 to October 31, 2010 sent from around the country.
The various prizes awarded are as detailed below.
Individual Prizes
■Most Outstanding Essay Prize (1)
■Outstanding Essay Prizes (5)
■Encouraging Essay Prizes (10)
School Prizes
■Most Outstanding School Prize (1)
■Outstanding School Prizes (2)
February 15, 2011
"Life & Money Quiz" Start
Japan Association for Financial Planners, a non-profit organization, (JAFP; Hiroshi Kato, Chairman) launched a new free-of-charge online content on January 18, 2011, on the JAFP website. The new content is called "Life & Money Quiz" (URL: http://www.jafp.or.jp/knowledge/mquiz/) and is part of ongoing JAFP efforts to improve financial literacy of consumers through the promotion of personal finance education.
"Life & Money Quiz" is available on the website to anyone free-of-charge, based mainly on "Personal Finance Education Standards" and personal finance education booklets by JAFP. It enables the consumers to easily gain knowledge about money and life planning according to their ages and life stages in an enjoyable quiz format.
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