January 15, 2025

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BUSINESS

Economy

The 40-year JGB yield rose as much as 3 basis points to 2.755%, the highest since 2007 when the bonds were sold for the first time.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 14, 2025

Japan’s 40-year yield rises to highest since debut in 2007

By Mia Glass

Japan’s 20-year yield also rose to its highest since May 2011 this morning after the nation’s markets reopened following a public holiday on Monday.

The record high reflected strong corporate demand for working capital amid rising raw materials prices and the yen's weakening, as well as brisk capital investment mainly by large companies.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 11, 2025

Japan bank lending hits record high at end of 2024

Outstanding bank lending in Japan stood at a record high of ¥605.8 trillion at the end of 2024, up 4.4% from a year before, according to industry data.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a meeting in Washington on Friday.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 11, 2025

IMF chief sees steady world growth in 2025, continuing disinflation

Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the U.S. economy was doing "quite a bit better" than expected, although there was uncertainty around Donald Trump's trade policies.

Consumer spending in Japan has been on a downtrend for months.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 10, 2025

Japan’s household spending falls, weighing on BOJ rate hike path

By Yoshiaki Nohara

Outlays adjusted for inflation fell 0.4% in November from a year earlier, led by household durable goods and clothing.

Prices continue to outpace wage increases in Japan.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 9, 2025

Real wages fall for a fourth month, squeezing Japanese households further

By Kazuaki Nagata

Inflation-adjusted real wages dropped 0.3% from a year earlier in November as some food prices and utility rates increased.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 9, 2025

Japan sales of foreign-brand vehicles fall 8.5% in 2024

Sales of foreign-brand vehicles priced lower than ¥4 million plunged 28.6%, while sales of those priced between ¥4 million and less than ¥10 million dipped 2.2%.

Former Bank of Japan board member Makoto Sakurai sees the likelihood of a hike in March as high as 70%, as the central bank may be better off waiting out at least the first couple of months of the new administration of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.

BUSINESS / Economy

Jan 9, 2025

Former BOJ board member sees rising chance of March rate hike

By Toru Fujioka and Sumio Ito

Makoto Sakurai says the central bank may wait out at least the first couple of months of the new administration of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

It's back to the classroom for some residents as municipal governments across the country conduct lessons to learn how to use new technologies.

Can aging Japan go digital without leaving anyone behind?

By Tomoko Otake

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SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

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