A television station broadcasts Jerome Powell, chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, speaking after a Federal Open Market Committee meeting on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 30, 2025
Fed cuts rates and Powell signals December move ‘far from’ certain
The Federal Reserve chair's remarks seemed aimed at reining in expectations in financial markets, where the probability of another cut in December was above 90% before he spoke.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 29, 2025
U.S. treasury chief Bessent signals support for Bank of Japan independence
The U.S. treasury secretary’s comments come as Abenomics is back in fashion with Japan’s leaders.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's trade minister, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick met on Sunday and Monday for lunch.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 29, 2025
No projects finalized under Japan's $550 billion investment pledge
Fact sheets issued during the recent Japan-U.S. summit offered little insight into any progress made.
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on next to people waving Malaysian national flags before he departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 28, 2025
Trump’s new trade deals give U.S. an edge over Southeast Asia
The pacts give Trump some clear wins, such as the removal of many tariff and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports into those countries.
Some Bank of Japan policy board members have started to dissent from the wait-and-see approach of their colleagues.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 28, 2025
Bank of Japan expected to sit this one out and keep benchmark rate at 0.5%
Even though inflation remains high, so too does uncertainty.
U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia, on Sunday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 27, 2025
U.S. and China tee up sweeping trade deal for Trump and Xi to finish
After talks wrapped up Sunday in Malaysia, an official said there is preliminary consensus on topics like export controls, fentanyl and shipping levies.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks at a news conference in Tokyo last week.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Oct 27, 2025
Japan’s first female finance chief is a veteran on banking policy
Satsuki Katayama joined the Finance Ministry in 1982 and reached a higher position in the influential Budget Bureau than any woman before her.

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell