The Nikkei stock index fell to a three-month low on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 25, 2024
Nikkei closes at 3-month low as yen strengthens
The 225-issue average fell 3.28% to end the day at 37,869.51, its lowest close since April 25.
The yen strengthened Wednesday to break the psychological threshold of ¥155 against the dollar, with technical indicators suggesting the momentum can continue.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 24, 2024
Yen extends advance as unwinding of global carry trades ramps up
Investors are betting on more rate hikes in Japan and the chance of further intervention by authorities to prop up the Japanese currency.
The exchange rate for the Japanese yen against the euro (left) and the U.S. dollar is displayed at a foreign exchange brokerage in Tokyo on June 27.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 23, 2024
Citi flags possible euro-yen intervention if rate nears ¥180 level
The euro-yen pair traded as high as ¥175.43 on July 11 — a record since the common currency was launched in 1999 — before retreating.
Blackstone's private equity fund says Japanese individual investors are highly interested in alternatives and their understanding of the asset class is deepening.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 23, 2024
Blackstone Japan fund exceeds $1B as investors warm up to private equity
As inflation takes hold in the country, investors are exploring more alternative assets on government encouragement to invest more of their cash.
The People's Bank of China building in Beijing on May 29
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 22, 2024
China cuts key rate after Xi’s big meeting disappoints investors
The People’s Bank of China cut the seven-day reverse repo rate, a key short-term policy rate, in the first reduction in almost a year.
Leveraged funds reduced net short positions on the yen the most since March 2011 during the week to July 16.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 22, 2024
Hedge funds slash short yen bets by most in more than a decade
Hedge funds pared bets against the yen in spectacular fashion after a suspected double-whammy market intervention from Japanese authorities.
The 2024 presidential race throws another curveball at the markets with U.S. President Joe Biden dropping out of the race.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 22, 2024
How investors are reacting to Biden dropping reelection bid
Many investors are waiting to see who the new Democratic nominee will be, with some uncomfortable about the uncertainty.

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