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Leika Kihara
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 11, 2022
BOJ steps in with pledge to buy unlimited 10-year JGBs at 0.25% to curb rising yields
Inflation in the West and hawkishness from other major central banks had spurred some bets the BOJ would need to taper its monetary policy soon, pushing yields to multiyear highs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 26, 2022
Bank of Japan debated chance of inflation pickup toward 2% as price hikes broaden
Many board members, however, stressed the need to maintain ultraloose monetary policy to support a fragile economy facing fresh risks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 22, 2021
BOJ discussing phasing out pandemic support as economy reopens, sources say
Ending a pandemic-relief loan program could raise eyebrows among politicians when the government continues to focus on dealing with the hit from the health crisis.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 14, 2021
From beef bowls to coffee, cost surge squeezes Japan's salaryman staples
Economists and policymakers expect to see the recent price rises reflected in official data in the coming months.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 12, 2021
Japan confronts rising inequality after Abenomics
Rather than curing societies financial ills, the former prime minister's economic plan has left a divide in its wake.
BUSINESS
Sep 24, 2021
Japan's ruling party race puts legacy of Abenomics in focus
Share prices and corporate profits boomed under Abenomics, but a government survey indicates that households barely benefited.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 13, 2021
After the 'bazooka', Bank of Japan dismantles the work of its radical chief
After years of shock-and-awe stimulus, the Bank of Japan is quietly rolling back radical policies.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 1, 2021
Suga to dissolve Diet mid-September and delay LDP race, report says
The PM decided to shunt back the LDP race as he has struggled to solidify support in the party and opponents were likely to gather votes in the coming weeks, the Mainichi reports.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2021
What inflation? Pandemic leaves emerging Asia's consumer recovery behind.
Slow vaccinations and a new wave of coronavirus infections have delayed economic recoveries in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 25, 2021
Japan insurers struggle to pinpoint climate change cost estimates
Japan's second-largest nonlife insurer, MS&AD, foresees the potential rise in claim payments in 2050 from current levels to be anywhere between 5% and 50%.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 7, 2021
BOJ policymakers agreed to focus on low rates as pandemic pain persists
At the March review, the BOJ kept policy steady and unveiled steps to make its tools sustainable enough to weather a prolonged battle to hit its 2% inflation target.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2021
BOJ's Kuroda urges central banks to take 'forward-looking' steps on climate risks
Kuroda said there were various challenges in managing climate-related financial risks, such as the difficulty of setting scenarios for stress tests and a lack of data.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jan 25, 2021
As pandemic prolongs easing, BOJ warms to wider band for yield target
Widening the band, or clarifying the BOJ's intention to let market forces drive yield moves more, would help bring life back to a market numbed by years of heavy-handed intervention.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 12, 2020
Bank of Japan likely to extend corporate aid programs next week
The measures, due to expire in March, will likely be extended for at least half a year as a precaution against the deepening pain from COVID-19.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 24, 2020
Japan prefers piecemeal approach over big bailout for carrier ANA
The approach marks a stark contrast to the bold moves other countries have made to protect flagship carriers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 13, 2020
Japan must revise BOJ law to speed up digital currency, senior LDP official says
Japan has been cautious about moving too quickly on digital currencies given the social disruptions it could cause.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2020
Nagasaki bank merger may expose flaws in Suga’s regional rescue plan
Some in Nagasaki fret the merged bank, which would belong to a financial group based in Fukuoka Prefecture, may shift its focus away from local borrowers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 6, 2020
Japan eyes stress test on major banks to gauge impact of COVID-19
The Bank of Japan is moving toward stress testing many banks simultaneously based on standardized risk scenarios, bringing it in line with overseas counterparts.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 12, 2020
Death knell sounds for Japanese department stores
The shops, which have struggled to modernize and adapt to new shopping styles, have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 7, 2020
Pandemic derails Abe's strategy to revive regional Japan with tourism
The plight of Kyoto and other cities in the western Kansai region has exposed a vulnerability of the prime minister's 'Abenomics' stimulus policy.

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