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November 22, 2024
 

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Tetsushi Kajimoto
People make their way through Tokyo's Ameyoko shopping district. In a sign rising inflation is already taking a toll on consumption, Japan's household spending suffered its biggest drop in nearly 2½ years in July.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Sep 7, 2023
China's economic gloom hangs over Japan's long-awaited recovery
If Beijing fails to shore up demand with meaningful stimulus, that could potentially delay an exit from the Bank of Japan's ultraloose monetary policy.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 22, 2023
BOJ's Ueda meets Kishida but says yen volatility wasn't discussed
The talks took place after the dollar's recent ascent above ¥145, a level that last September triggered Japan's first yen-buying operation since 1998.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 5, 2023
Japanese firms offer biggest pay hikes in 30 years as wage growth broadens
A total of 5,272 unions affiliated with Rengo showed an average pay hike of 3.58%, or ¥10,560 per month, the biggest increase since the 3.9% seen in 1993.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 4, 2023
Tokyo in constant dialogue with U.S. and others on currencies, finance minister says
The remarks likely signal Tokyo's desire to keep the market on guard about possible currency intervention to prop up the yen, which has been hovering near ¥145 to the dollar.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 3, 2023
Improving Japan business mood signals steady economic recovery
Companies expect to increase capital expenditure and project inflation to stay above the Bank of Japan's 2% target five years ahead, the quarterly tankan showed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2023
Japan says G7 will discuss strengthening global banking system
The recent collapse of First Republic Bank has exacerbated investor worries about the U.S. banking sector, and raised calls for better global oversight.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 2, 2023
U.S. banking troubles won't affect Japan, says Economy Minister Shigeyuki Goto
While optimistic overall, Goto urged financial institutions and authorities to respond firmly to liquidity risks that have led to difficulties in the West.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
May 1, 2023
Inflation and labor crunch prodding Japan's smaller firms to raise pay
Wages have barely risen in Japan since the asset bubble burst in the 1990s but have crept up recently, as companies face pressure to compensate employees for the rising cost of living.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2023
Japan's current account swings back to black on overseas investment
The current account surplus stood at ¥2.1972 trillion ($16.59 billion) in February, the Finance Ministry said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2023
Why Japan's spring wage talks are a big deal this year
Every March, management of major Japanese firms meet with unions for wage talks across industries that set the tone for employees' pay in the new fiscal year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 3, 2023
Kishida urges extra inflation-relief steps as Japan's households struggle
The news comes as households grapple with intensifying cost-of-living pressures amid elevated inflation for items such as energy and food, hitting consumption and smaller businesses.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 28, 2023
Incoming BOJ deputy head brushes aside near-term tweak to easy policy
Shinichi Uchida suggested that any review of the central bank's policy framework could take about a year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 17, 2023
With BOJ pick, Kishida strikes political balance and draws line under Abenomics
Having an academic helm the BOJ is unprecedented in Japan, where the job traditionally rotates between a central banker and an official from the Finance Ministry.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Feb 10, 2023
Japan's debt time bomb to complicate BOJ's exit from dovish policies
A flurry of big spending packages and ballooning social welfare costs for a rapidly aging population have left Japan with a debt pile 263% the size of its economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 3, 2023
BOJ governor contender Hiroshi Nakaso takes up APEC advisory council post
A career central banker who served as deputy governor until 2018, Nakaso has repeatedly warned of the drawbacks of prolonged monetary easing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 31, 2023
Japan firms step up efforts to attract skilled staff as inflation and labor crunch bite
As annual shuntō labor talks enter full swing, both labor and management are asking firms to offer pay hikes to cushion consumer inflation, which hit a 41-year high of 4% in December.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 26, 2023
Russia sanctions and Ukraine support to be G7 priority, says Japan diplomat
While Japan's top finance diplomat underscored the importance of G7 unity in standing up to Russia, some analysts say there may be differences on sanctions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 23, 2023
Japan's finance chief warns fiscal situation getting increasingly severe
Shunichi Suzuki's comments come as markets test whether the BOJ can keep interest rates ultralow, allowing the government to service its debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 11, 2023
Amid climate efforts, Japan considers issuing green transition bonds next fiscal year
Japan plans to issue u00a51.6 trillion of such bonds in the fiscal year that ends in March 2024, with an eye on those with maturity of 10 years and 20 years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 27, 2022
Ex-top finance official says BOJ adjustments will smooth governor change
The central bank surprised markets last week by relaxing its yield tolerance for 10-year Japanese government bonds, a move aimed at easing the cost of prolonged economic stimulus.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

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

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SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

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