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Toru Fujioka
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 28, 2022
Tokyo inflation slows, bolstering BOJ case for standing pat
The slowdown in Tokyo inflation signals just how different Japan is from other major economies where surging consumer prices are pushing central banks to rein in pandemic-era stimulus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 21, 2022
Japan prices fail to make more progress toward distant BOJ goal
The subdued inflation reading is likely to cool speculation that the BOJ may take steps to adjust policy in light of expected price increases.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 17, 2022
BOJ’s future path could start to emerge during Kuroda’s last lap
Surveyed economists say that in the unlikely scenario the BOJ responds to price pressures or yen weakness, the most likely step would be to adjust its messaging rather than policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 6, 2022
Bank of Japan plans to discuss changing long-held view on price risks, sources say
The central bank meets on Jan. 17 and 18, with its quarterly report on prices and growth likely to be the focus of interest.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 15, 2021
For those watching the Bank of Japan, actions speak louder than words
By taking a stealthier approach than its peers, Japan's central bank has been able to wind back pandemic stimulus without rattling markets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 8, 2021
BOJ likely to scale down COVID-19 aid, former executive says
The BOJ could extend some parts of the program beyond March, while scaling back other areas such as its corporate debt buying, says the former leader of the bank's pandemic crisis response.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 26, 2021
Fuel prices drive fastest Tokyo inflation in 16 months
Prices in the capital, excluding those for fresh food, increased 0.3% in November from a year earlier, the internal affairs ministry reported Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 26, 2021
BOJ’s newest board member sees Japan inflation creeping up
Higher energy costs have helped Japan's key gauge of consumer prices edge up over the last two months for the first time in more than a year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 22, 2021
From bathhouses to fisheries, hidden inflation is creeping across Japan
Gasoline prices soared to a seven-year high this month and the government is expecting the tightest power supply in a decade this winter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 19, 2021
Japan inflation shows continued pulse as gas prices surge
Soaring commodity prices amid supply chain bottlenecks and a weaker yen are squeezing many Japanese businesses, which are facing the strongest cost pressure in four decades.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 17, 2021
Japan's export growth fails to meet estimates as car shipments plunge
Exports gained at the slowest pace in eight months in October amid global supply constraints, compounding a greater than expected economic contraction last quarter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 2, 2021
Japan’s stimulus likely to reveal Kishida’s true spending colors
Cash handouts and a relaunch of domestic travel subsidies will be considered for inclusion when the package is put together in mid-November.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 29, 2021
Plunging output adds to Japan recovery headwinds as election looms
Sharper production has been falling amid global supply shortages weakening a key pillar of Japan's recovery and will likely weigh on third quarter growth.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 22, 2021
Japan’s prices rise for first time in 18 months on energy costs
While commodity prices are the main driver of surging costs, there is anecdotal evidence that some businesses are carefully asking households to embrace higher price tags.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 20, 2021
Japan’s exports weakened by supply snags hurting global trade
The figures from the world's third-largest economy add to evidence that COVID-19-triggered supply chain bottlenecks are taking a toll on global trade.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2021
Bank of Japan's extra goals help it play down inflation, ex-official says
The central bank will continue to diversify its goals so it can place less emphasis on achieving its price target, according to a former BOJ executive director.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2021
Japan could get boost if shoppers spend ¥20 trillion saved during pandemic
In places like the U.S. and the U.K., pent-up consumer demand has helped fuel strong recoveries, but whether the floodgates will open quite as wide in Japan is an open question.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 24, 2021
Japan's consumer prices didn't fall in August, snapping longest downtrend since 2011
While the reading was improved, the nation's weak inflation pulse has trapped the Bank of Japan in a holding pattern while other central banks move toward curbing pandemic stimulus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 22, 2021
BOJ's Haruhiko Kuroda reaffirms policy mix need ahead of LDP leadership vote
The central bank decided to set short-term interest rates at minus 0.1% while guiding 10-year government bond yields around 0% to keep borrowing costs low for companies and households.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 21, 2021
Haruhiko Kuroda's monetary experiment set to continue beyond BOJ tenure record
Reaching the landmark as longest-running governor will be testament to Kuroda's ability to keep political and market pressure at bay despite having failed to spark inflation.

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