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Tetsushi Kajimoto
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2022
Japan unveils record budget in boost to military capabilities
The draft budget features record military and welfare spending as Japan confronts regional security challenges from an ever-assertive China and an unpredictable North Korea.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals