Kazuya Maruyama is a man of balance. The television personality, lawyer and member of the Diet exercises for a few hours each morning; practices za-zen, or seated meditation daily; and spends time with his wife, daughter and dog. And then he has his day job as a member in Japan’s House of Councilors.

The life balance Mr. Maruyama has found is something like what he is hoping Japanese college graduates find in their finances through the animated and interactive online lesson he has created in partnership with MasterCard.

“Lawyer Maruyama’s Introduction to Financial Management” provides consumers in Japan access to free, easy-to-understand tools to help manage their personal finances. Particularly targeted at new college graduates entering the workforce for the first time, the Web site provides an examination of the health of consumers’ personal finances and allows them to assess their spending, set goals, create a budget and track spending.

The MasterCard-supported program is ahead of the curve, says Mr. Maruyama. And it is not because of his anime cameo on the computer screen. The Japanese government plans to launch a new consumer affairs office to administer affairs like programs for responsible spending.

Although the MasterCard education program is an early one in the market, Mr. Maruyama thinks young people in Japan may be behind their American counterparts in money management. During his five years in the United States as both a law student and practicing lawyer, Mr. Maruyama assessed Americans as having greater awareness of financial matters, usually holding part-time jobs from young ages and earning income to help cover their school fees, unlike their Japanese peers.

With these basic financial planning tools, Mr. Maruyama thinks young people can achieve greater personal stability. “There is always a connection between financial planning and life planning.”