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Yuki Hagiwara
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Mar 14, 2023
Japan weighs defense exports as it shows off fighter jet plans
The Global Combat Air Program is the country’s first major military development plan with partners other than the U.S. since World War II.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 7, 2023
LDP flips on LGBTQ bill after gaffe by Kishida aide
The party will prepare to submit a bill encouraging understanding of LGBTQ issues, seeking to repair the damage from the former aide's discriminatory comments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 21, 2023
Next BOJ governor needs to be ‘crafty,’ LDP’s Akira Amari says
Japan’s next central bank governor needs the ability to be "crafty” in how they communicate and should largely stick with loose monetary policy, according to Akira Amari, a former economy minister who was involved in laying out the country’s 10-year-old inflation target.
BUSINESS
Jan 20, 2023
Japan’s chip czar backs U.S. push to contain Chinese ‘hegemony’
LDP heavyweight Akira Amari said his country must join the U.S. in imposing restrictions on exports of the latest chip materials and machinery to China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 7, 2022
Nomura is teaching Japan high school students how to invest
About 8 in 10 Japanese have never invested in securities, according to a lobby group for the nation's brokers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 5, 2022
Ruling LDP looks to continue aid to struggling Japan firms as pandemic loans end
The party will draw up new support proposals for firms at risk of default, aiming to reflect them in the government's economic package that will be put together by the end of the month.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Sep 21, 2022
Why young Japanese are more likely to back Abe’s state funeral
For many voters in their 20s, Abe's name is synonymous with a soaring Nikkei stock average and almost full employment under his Abenomics program.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2022
Japan will monitor China, new economic security minister says
Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance toward Japan's powerful neighbor, took her post this month amid increasing government awareness of economic security.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 12, 2022
Tokyo seeks to take lead as green ‘transition’ finance hub
Transition finance is the concept of investing in companies to help them cut emissions, something the government is pursuing on the way to its target of carbon neutrality by 2050.
BUSINESS
Jul 25, 2022
Former Japan economy minister calls for talks on big extra budget in fall
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he will think about another budget depending on the circumstances.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 21, 2022
Tax reform key for Japan’s ¥10 trillion startup push, says head of ruling party group
The government is set to put together a five-year plan by the end of 2022 that will seek to increase money going to startups tenfold.
BUSINESS
Jun 3, 2022
Japan passes stablecoin bill that enshrines investor protection
Stablecoins must be linked to the yen or another legal tender and guarantee holders the right to redeem them at face value.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 13, 2022
Top Japanese banks warn of uncertainties as profit seen slowing
The banks expect bad loan costs to drop as the impact of the pandemic eases, but are bracing for a challenging year as the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks raise interest rates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 26, 2022
New Mizuho CEO plans to expand U.S. capital markets business
The firm wants to hire bankers to build its businesses with non-investment grade companies and leveraged buyout financing, Masahiro Kihara says.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 28, 2022
Mizuho targets cash-poor millionaires in wealth management push
Japan's third-largest bank aims to to have 1,000 families on board with its wealth unit by this time next year, up from 600 at present, a representative said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 23, 2022
Under pressure at home, Japan's agricultural lender pulls back from global investing
Norinchukin Bank was at one point the biggest buyer of a structured product known as collateralized loan obligations, drawing the ire of politicians and regulators.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 24, 2021
Mitsubishi UFJ targets Asia unicorns with debt-finance fund
Japan's largest lender will start a u00a534 billion fund early next year after upsizing its first joint-venture fund earlier this year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 23, 2021
Sumitomo Mitsui CEO Jun Ohta still looking for more acquisition targets
The head of Japan's second-largest lender is seeking to broaden services across Asia, acquiring commercial banks and consumer-finance companies.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 10, 2021
Shinsei board member says the bank needs to improve performance
Shinsei has moved to defend itself from an SBI takeover bid, saying it would introduce a strategy designed to dilute the suitor's stake.
BUSINESS
Oct 1, 2021
Japanese banks’ desperate hunt for yield draws more scrutiny
Regulatory officials in Japan are treading a fine line between supporting an environment where financial firms seek out higher returns, while guarding against excessive risk taking.

Longform

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The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan