Metaplanet, listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, has designated Bitcoin as its strategic reserve asset in response to ongoing economic uncertainties in Japan. This decision, as stated in a May 13 announcement, is prompted by factors such as Japan's high government debt levels, prolonged periods of negative real interest rates, and the resulting weakened yen.

The firm explained its rationale, citing Bitcoin's advantages over the Japanese Yen, including protection against currency devaluation, opportunities for speculative arbitrage in capital markets, and the utilization of Bitcoin's tax benefits.

This recent move follows several pro-Bitcoin decisions by the company in recent months. In April, Metaplanet committed to Bitcoin as a core treasury asset, allocating approximately ¥1 billion (around $6.56 million) to the digital asset, marking a significant shift in its financial strategy.

Since then, the Japan-based company has acquired approximately 117.72 BTC, valued at 1.2 billion JPY or $7.7 million, and appointed Dylan LeClair, a strong Bitcoin advocate, as its Director of Bitcoin Strategy.

Metaplanet announced a "Bitcoin-first [and] Bitcoin-only approach" for its operations, emphasizing its belief that Bitcoin is fundamentally superior to other forms of currency and investment. It highlighted Bitcoin's proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, linking it to real-world energy inputs, and its rigid monetary policy, which sets it apart from other assets.

As a result, the company plans to implement various financial strategies, such as periodic share issuance and long-dated yen liabilities, to accumulate BTC instead of holding onto the weakening yen.