The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. Strategists are now feeling less optimistic on the yen’s outlook after Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda opened up the possibility of waiting longer for the next rate hike.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 23, 2024
Yen bulls retreat as Fed and BOJ dim hopes of quick narrowing of rate gap
Wide gaps in interest rates could bring back the yen carry trade, in which investors borrow in Japan and deploy the funds in higher-yielding markets.
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said Friday that Japan will take appropriate action if there are excessive moves in the currency market, as the yen resumed its rapid downturn.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 20, 2024
Japan warns on yen after BOJ’s dovish messaging extends slide
Recent sharp movements in the yen feed into concerns that the government may intervene in the currency market.
A television station broadcasts Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, speaking after a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 19, 2024
U.S. stocks tumble, dollar rallies as Fed signals fewer 2025 rate cuts
After latest interest rate cut, Fed 'significantly closer' to the point where no further cuts needed: Powell
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda. The central bank's policy board meets this week.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 16, 2024
Uncertainty reigns as BOJ rate bets almost evenly split
Slightly less than half of surveyed economists expect the central bank to raise rates this week while just over half believe it will wait until January.
Copies of a special edition of the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, featuring a front page report on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, on a street in Seoul on Saturday
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 16, 2024
South Korea's won and stocks take spotlight after impeachment vote
South Korea's won will be the main focus for traders, after its heavy losses during the country’s recent political chaos.
Investors' expectations for corporate governance reform triggered by the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s campaign have been a major driver of the rally in Japanese stocks over the last two years, but the market’s historic crash in early August has changed the dynamics.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 13, 2024
Cheap valuations are out as investors like new metric for Japan stocks
Investors are now trying to identify companies that have strong fundamentals but have a lot to gain by improving capital allocation, one portfolio manager said.
The yen slumped to its weakest in level in more than two weeks on Wednesday as traders reacted to a report that BOJ officials saw little cost to waiting before raising rates.
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 12, 2024
Danger for yen emerges with speculation BOJ may stand pat longer
A small taste of the dangers ahead came Wednesday, when the yen slumped to its weakest in level in more than two weeks.

Longform

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.
Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?