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Takahiko Wada
Takeshi Shina, an opposition lawmaker and a member of the Lower House's financial committee, has frequently summoned Bank of Japan governors, including incumbent Kazuo Ueda, to parliament for grilling on monetary policy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 14, 2024
BOJ should raise rates to 1% to reverse weak yen, says CDP lawmaker
His remarks highlight how concern over the demerits of a weak yen will remain a key topic of debate among politicians.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 16, 2024
Bank of Japan policymaker calls for 'very moderate' pace of rate hikes
There are doubts about whether Japanese firms will keep sufficiently raising wages next year due to lingering global risks.
Japan Post Bank will expand investment into long-term government bonds to take advantage of rising yields.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 20, 2024
Japan Post Bank to buy more bonds in light of BOJ taper plan
Japan Post Bank has ramped up investment in JGBs with the balance of holdings totaling ¥5.15 trillion as of March, expanding 1.5-fold from levels in December last year.
People walk near the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on April 26.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 10, 2024
BOJ must avoid raising rates to combat weak yen, says ex-official
Higher borrowing costs would hit consumption and services inflation, said Tsutomu Watanabe, an expert on price trends.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda (center) and Deputy Govs. Ryozo Himino (left) and Shinichi Uchida (right) attend a news conference at the bank headquarters in Tokyo in April 2023
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Mar 20, 2024
How the Bank of Japan's plan for a smooth stimulus exit unfolded
The decision was complicated by differences between BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda's two deputies, as well as the governor's wavering on the exit timing.
The Bank of Japan signed a joint statement with the government in 2013 committing itself to achieve its 2% inflation target "at the earliest date possible."
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 6, 2024
Japan's inflation goal still needed even if negative rates end: official
Chief government economist Tomoko Hayashi says any shift in BOJ policy would not alter the importance of the 2% inflation target.
The Tokyo core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs, rose 2.7% in October from a year earlier, exceeding market forecasts for a 2.5% gain.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 27, 2023
BOJ in focus as core inflation in Tokyo unexpectedly accelerates
The data reinforces expectations the BOJ will revise up its inflation forecasts when it produces fresh quarterly projections at next week's meeting.
Fruit and vegetables for sale at the entrance to a supermarket in a shopping precinct in Tokyo on Oct. 7.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 20, 2023
Japan's core inflation slows below 3% for first time in over a year
The rate has tracked above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for 18 straight months.
The Tokyo core consumer price index rose 2.8% in August from a year earlier, slowing for the second straight month but remaining well above the central bank's 2% target.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2023
Inflation in Tokyo slowed in August but stayed above BOJ target
The Tokyo core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs, rose 2.8% in August from a year earlier.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 26, 2023
Inflation in Tokyo slows in May, but key gauge hits four-decade high
The data showed firms continued to pass on rising costs to households in a sign inflationary pressure could last longer than the BOJ projects.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 21, 2023
Japan's broadening inflationary pressures test BOJ's dovish stance
Consumer inflation held steady above the central bank's target in March and an index excluding fuel costs rose at the fastest annual pace in four decades.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2023
Inflation in Tokyo cools for second month but remains above BOJ target
Core consumer prices in Tokyo, a leading indicator of nationwide trends, rose 3.2% in March from a year earlier, compared with 3.3% in February and a nearly 42-year high of 4.3% in January.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2023
Consumer inflation in Tokyo hits near 42-year high, keeping BOJ under pressure
The data heightens the chance that inflation will stay well above the Bank of Japan's 2% target in coming months.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 11, 2022
Bank of Japan may ditch yield cap next year as inflation perks up
The Bank of Japan must guard against the risk of inflation well exceeding its expectations, says Takeo Hoshi, an academic with close ties to incumbent central bank policymakers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 16, 2022
Front-runner to be next BOJ chief calls for faster green growth strategy
An increase in Japan's potential growth would encourage firms to raise wages on prospects of stronger profits, and give households more purchasing power, Hiroshi Nakaso said.
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 / 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
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.
Japan Times
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 / Economy
Sep 23, 2020
Japan's SBI, eyeing shake-up of regional banks, may get a Suga boost
Suga has pledged to strengthen local economies and encourage regional banks to consolidate, a shake-up that many say is long overdue.

Longform

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