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BOJ¥

The Bank of Japan debated the chance of a near-term interest rate hike during its policy meeting in June.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2024
BOJ debated need for timely rate hike at June meeting, summary shows
One Bank of Japan policymaker called for an increase without delay to address risks of inflation overshooting expectations.
While a weaker yen is seen pushing up fiscal 2024 profits by 1.9% at large companies with capital of ¥1 billion or more, it is expected to have a negative impact of 1.3% for small companies with capital of 10 million to ¥100 million.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 23, 2024
Impacts of weaker yen vary by company size: estimates
The profit disparity arises apparently from the inability of small companies to offset rising import costs with their limited-scale exports and direct investments abroad.
Foreign investors, who helped push up Japanese stocks to a record high just a few months ago, became net sellers for a fourth straight week through June 14.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 23, 2024
Global investors turn cautious on once favorite Japanese stocks
Foreign investors, who helped push up Japanese shares to a record high just a few months ago, became net sellers for a fourth straight week through June 14.
Japan's core inflation accelerated in May due to energy levies but an index that strips away the effect of fuel slowed for the ninth straight month, complicating the central bank's decision on how soon to raise interest rates.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 21, 2024
Energy costs drove up inflation in May, backing case for BOJ rate hike
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 2.5% in May from a year ago, quickening from 2.2% in April, the internal affairs ministry said Friday.
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.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 19, 2024
BOJ’s minutes show debate on rate hikes with close eyes on yen
The minutes signal the potential for a BOJ rate hike as early as July even as market speculation for such a move has cooled somewhat.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda said the central bank was not yet fully convinced that inflation will sustainably hit its 2% target, stressing the need to spend "a bit more time" to scrutinize data before raising rates again.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 18, 2024
BOJ chief signals chance of July rate hike
Such a move would depend on economic data available at the time, says Gov. Kazuo Ueda.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Friday after the central bank's policy meeting.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 14, 2024
Bank of Japan’s slow-walk on bond buying reduction rattles market
The yen fell over what the market saw as dithering on the central bank's reduction of its massive balance sheet.
The corporate goods price index rose 2.4% in May from a year earlier, driven by higher prices for utilities, petroleum and chemical goods as well as nonferrous metals.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 12, 2024
Japan's wholesale inflation rose in May, complicating BOJ rate outlook
Price rises driven by cost pressures could cool consumption, and dampen the chances of achieving the demand-driven inflation the central bank is seeking to foster.
The Bank of Japan is expected to discuss cutting bond purchases at a two-day policy meeting ending Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 11, 2024
BOJ expected to weigh bond buying cuts as rate hike timing nears
A paring back of bond purchases would mark the BOJ’s first clear step toward quantitative tightening after pivoting away from its massive stimulus program in March.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 10, 2024
Investors brace for volatility as BOJ seeks to cut bond buying
The Bank of Japan bought only ¥4.5 trillion of government bonds last month, the lowest amount since March 2013.
The head of the Bank of Japan has ruled out using monetary policy to directly influence exchange-rate moves, but signaled the chance of raising rates if the weak yen pushes up inflation more than expected.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 7, 2024
Japan growth strategy panel calls for vigilance to weak yen impact
The call reflects the government's growing concerns about a weak yen.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. More than half of the 50 economists surveyed predict the central bank will decide next week to slow the pace of bond buying.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 7, 2024
Majority of BOJ watchers expect cut in bond buying next week
Some 54% of 50 economists said the bank will slow the pace of bond buying from around ¥6 trillion per month at the policy board gathering.
Japanese household spending in April showed the first year-on-year increase since February last year, marking rises in such categories as education, rent and clothing.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 7, 2024
Japan’s households boost outlays for first time in 14 months
Real outlays rose 0.5% in April from a year ago, marking the first increase since February last year.
Toyoaki Nakamura, a member of the policy board at the Bank of Japan, warns of recent weak signs in consumption and slowing global growth that have clouded the outlook for Japan's economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 6, 2024
BOJ's Toyoaki Nakamura warns of risks to 2% inflation goal from 2025
The central bank board's median forecast is for core consumer inflation to hit 1.9% in the fiscal year beginning in April 2025 and in fiscal 2026.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo. Some investors are expecting the central bank to cut bond purchases this month and then raise rates in July.
BUSINESS
Jun 5, 2024
BOJ weighs reducing bond buys as early as June meeting
The bank will conclude its two-day policy meeting on June 14.
Japan's base pay in April rose 2.3% from a year earlier to drive up nominal wages by 2.1%, but real wages marked a 25th consecutive month of decline as pay growth lagged inflation.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 5, 2024
Japan’s biggest base pay jump since 1994 still leaves doubts
Pay continues to lag inflation, with analysts appearing to latch on to weaker-than-expected growth in cash wages in data that avoids sampling issues.
The draft of this year's long-term economic policy road map says consumption is stalling even though Japan's economy is continuing to recover moderately.
BUSINESS
Jun 4, 2024
Draft economic policy road map warns of weak yen's impact on households
The reference to the weak yen's impact will likely keep the Bank of Japan under pressure to raise interest rates or slow its huge bond buying.
Japanese companies' capital expenditures on goods excluding software fell 0.5% in the three months through March from the previous quarter.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 3, 2024
Japan’s firms trim spending, reflecting headwinds to growth
Capital expenditures on goods excluding software fell 0.5% in the three months through March from the previous quarter.
A monitor showing the Nikkei 225 index and the yen exchange rate in Tokyo. The yen is expected to remain under pressure given the yawning gap between interest rates in Japan and the U.S.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2024
Japan spent record ¥9.8 trillion to prop up yen in past month
The record spending on intervention shows the government’s resolve to push back against speculators betting against the yen.

Longform

A woman passes an "akichi" (vacant lot) in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The capital is littered with such small lots in part because of Japan's aging and shrinking population.
Dealing with rising land vacancies as Japan shrinks