author

 
 

Meta

Yoshiaki Nohara
Japan's core inflation held above the Bank of Japan's 2% target in October, keeping pressure on the central bank to raise its still-low interest rates.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 22, 2024
Inflation held above BOJ target in October, supporting winter rate hike
Food companies raised the prices of 2,911 items, with processed food prices increasing by 3.8% while rice prices rose 60%.
Former economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa has been named the new head of the Liberal Democratic Party's group that promotes semiconductors.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 19, 2024
Former minister Daishiro Yamagiwa named to lead LDP semiconductor group
Appointment follows pledge by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of more than ¥10 trillion in fresh public support for chip and artificial intelligence sectors.
Japan's economy expanded by an annualized 0.9% in the third quarter, data showed.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 15, 2024
Japan’s economy beats consensus in boost for BOJ rate hike case
Gross domestic product expanded at an annualized pace of 0.9% in the three months through September from the prior period, a tad higher than the 0.7% consensus estimate.
Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS
Nov 1, 2024
Japan’s potential kingmaker says BOJ shouldn’t hike before March
The central bank needs to closely examine the results of next year’s wage deal results before moving on policy again, Tamaki said.
Japan's industrial production gained 1.4% from August, led by cars and chemical product manufacturers.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 31, 2024
Japan's September factory output beat estimates but was down year on year
While the figures were stronger than forecast, production was weak, and uncertainty over domestic and overseas demand clouds the outlook.
Akira Amari, a former economy minister, championed funneling large sums of public money into building up the country’s semiconductor capacity.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 29, 2024
Japan’s chip push loses key advocate after election defeat
Akira Amari had championed funneling large sums of public money into building up the country’s semiconductor capacity.
Japan's core inflation slowed in September due to the rollout of energy subsidies.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 18, 2024
Japan’s inflation slows for first time since April
The slowdown in price gains largely hangs on government subsidies.
Japan's household spending rose less than expected in July as consumers remained wary of loosening their purse strings in the face of higher prices.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 6, 2024
Japan’s household spending stays flat in signs of tepid growth
Spending on housing and education jumped from June figures, while outlays on transportation and food declined.
Core consumer prices in Japan's capital rose 2.4% in August from a year earlier, accelerating for the fourth straight month and keeping alive market expectations of further interest rate hikes in coming months.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 30, 2024
Inflation accelerates beyond forecasts in Tokyo, boosting case for rate hike
Analysts say the data shows that the real economy and its fundamentals are continuing to recover but at a slow pace.
The Finance Ministry will apply foreign trade regulations to chipmaking equipment, requiring foreign investors to give prior notice when conducting direct investment in the sector.
BUSINESS
Aug 16, 2024
Japanese government tightens grip on chip supply-chain network
The move comes as Japan tries to revive its own capacity to produce semiconductors as a pillar of its economic security strategy.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s decision to step down opens the door to newcomers competing at a time when the central bank is paving the way for policy normalization.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 16, 2024
Japan's change of leadership comes at challenging time for monetary policy
Next month’s ruling party vote will be held against a backdrop of persistent inflation.
The Bank of Japan won't be able to introduce another rate hike this year, according to former board member Makoto Sakurai.
BUSINESS
Aug 12, 2024
Ex-BOJ board member rules out another rate hike this year
Recent market upheaval and the BOJ’s reaction to it are making market participants wary about the outlook.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference after the central bank's policy meeting in Tokyo on July 31.
BUSINESS
Aug 11, 2024
BOJ’s policy path fraught with risks after global market turmoil
Markets erupted with volatility within days of a BOJ rate hike on July 31.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. This week's market turmoil underscored how difficult it is for the central bank to limit market shocks as it unwinds years of extraordinary monetary stimulus.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 9, 2024
Mixed messages from BOJ leave traders guessing about its true aims
Investors are wondering how much faith they can put into the Bank of Japan following comments that appear to be damage control.
Japan's industrial production in June fell 3.6% from the previous month, reflecting plant suspensions at vehicle-makers including Toyota due to faulty vehicle certifications.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 31, 2024
Japan’s industrial output falls, clouding recovery outlook
The production of cars and auto parts drove the reading lower as an ongoing probe involving carmakers such as Toyota continues to disrupt output.
Japan's unemployment rate edged lower to 2.5% in June from 2.6% a month earlier.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 30, 2024
Japan’s labor market stays tight, supporting wage growth
Japan's unemployment rate edged lower to 2.5% in June from 2.6% a month earlier, the Internal Affairs Ministry reported.
Core inflation in Japan's capital accelerated for a third straight month in July, keeping alive market expectations of a near-term interest rate hike by the central bank.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 26, 2024
Tokyo inflation quickens, keeping BOJ hike option in play
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 2.2% in the capital, versus 2.1% in June, the internal affairs ministry reported.
Japan’s exports grew for a seventh consecutive month in June, government data has shown.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 18, 2024
Japan’s exports rise for seventh month, supporting growth
Exports gained 5.4% in June from a year ago, led by chip-making gear and nonferrous metals.
A monitor in Tokyo shows the yen strengthening to the ¥157 range against the dollar late Thursday evening.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 12, 2024
Japan likely spent $22 billion on yen intervention Thursday
Japan’s currency firmed from around ¥161.58 against the dollar to ¥157.44 in little more than half an hour.
Japanese household spending unexpectedly fell in May as higher prices continued to squeeze consumers' purchasing power.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 5, 2024
Japan’s household spending falls, clouding growth outlook
The yen's slide is expected to further raise prices for imported raw materials, energy, and food.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?