Tag - economy

 
 

ECONOMY

A new high-rise is erected in Beijing in October 2021. The same year, 41% of the assets in China’s banking system were accounted for by property-related loans and credit.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 1, 2023
Is Japan’s economic past China’s future?
China is facing a long period of low growth similar to Japan’s experience since the 1990s.
A worker stands in front of a machine on a yarn production line in Putian, Fujian province, China, in February 2021.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 31, 2023
China's factory, services sectors show weakness, need for stimulus
Construction sector activity for July was its weakest since COVID-19-related workplace disruptions dissipated around February.
The Cushing storage hub in Oklahoma. Crude oil stock declines have been geographically uneven so far, with inventory falls in the United States and Europe offset by increases in China and Japan.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Oil inventory drops set stage for higher prices
Oil inventories now play a bigger role in determining prices than the U.S. dollar because sanctions on Russia have sped up trading in other currencies.
Japan's industrial production in June climbed 2% from the previous month, led by brisk output of new automobiles amid strong demand at home and abroad.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Japan’s production rebounds, signaling continued modest recovery
Factory output rose 2% from the previous month, rebounding from the previous month and led by increases in cars and electronic devices.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda gives a news conference in Tokyo on Friday. The BOJ jolted financial markets by loosening its grip on bond yields.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 30, 2023
BOJ yields some control, but also throws a curveball
In trying to keep several plates spinning as it pertains to monetary policy and inflation, BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda steps on his message.
Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo on Friday. The Japanese yen is on a bumpy path toward strengthening after Friday's central bank policy change, threatening to upend the carry trade, one of this year's most popular strategies, as the currency inevitably becomes more expensive.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jul 29, 2023
Bank of Japan's opaque policy shift means stronger and wilder yen
The Japanese yen is on a bumpy path toward strengthening after Friday's central bank policy change, threatening to upend the carry trade.
In the international market, a larger number of airlines went bankrupt compared to domestic fliers due to the pandemic, with low-cost, long-haul carriers getting hit particularly hard.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 28, 2023
Post-pandemic travel boom is running out of steam
Fare promotions and other signs of weakening domestic demand show business is leveling out for airlines after post-COVID-19 boom.
Kazuo Ueda, governor of the Bank of Japan, speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2023
BOJ to allow ‘greater flexibility’ with yield curve control policy
The bank also raised its inflation forecast in the quarterly outlook, projecting that consumer prices for fiscal 2023 will be 2.5%.
Members of a labor ministry panel on wages meet in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2023
Japan’s average minimum wage set to top ¥1,000
With the government eager to create a healthy cycle of pay and price increases, the minimum wage panel suggested a record 4.3% hike from the current average of ¥961.
Core inflation in Japan's capital slowed in July but remained well above the Bank of Japan's 2% target.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 28, 2023
Tokyo CPI growth tops consensus, focusing attention on BOJ
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3% in the capital, beating analysts’ forecast of a 2.9% increase, underscoring the stickiness of underlying inflation.
The Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto. Tourists are flocking to Kyoto and other popular spots in Japan, highlighting the country's severe shortage of hotel staff.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 25, 2023
As tourism booms, Japan struggles with labor shortages and weary locals
The return of tourists has given the country a boost, but it has also highlighted several issues, including a severe lack of hotel staff.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly pushed back against the idea that a major pivot on policy is looming by emphasizing his doubts about the sustainability of price rises.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 25, 2023
BOJ set to stick with easing as markets see clock ticking on yield control
Since taking the helm in April, Gov. Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly pushed back against the idea that a major pivot on policy is looming.
Some economists hope the labor ministry panel will make an annual average minimum wage proposal of above ¥1,000 this week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 23, 2023
The average minimum wage may top ¥1,000 this year. But is that enough?
Aside from the symbolic hurdle, a more substantial issue remains: Will momentum for wage hikes from this spring continue or will it be short-lived?
The Central Business District on a rainy day in Beijing. Both U.S. and European companies with exposure to China could be hit by its sluggish growth as its post-COVID-19 momentum has faltered rapidly.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 21, 2023
China's sagging economy looms over quarterly results around the world
Both U.S. and European companies with exposure to China could be hit by that economy's sluggish growth as its post-COVID momentum has faltered rapidly.
Residential buildings in the Kachidoki area of Tokyo. The average unit price of newly supplied condominiums in the greater Tokyo area in the first six months of this year reached the highest level for the six-month period due to rising material and labor costs and higher land prices.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2023
Tokyo's new condo prices surge 60% to a record in first half of year
The average price of a new apartment in central Tokyo jumped 60% to ¥129.6 million ($930,000) in the January to June period.
A safety course for electric scooters offered in Tokyo in June
JAPAN / Explainer
Jul 21, 2023
Bike, scooter, taxi? Here are your options for nonrail transit in Japan
Here's a rundown on your options and how best to utilize them — whether your a tourist or long-time resident.
Japan's consumer prices rose 3.3% year-on-year in June, with the pace of inflation accelerating from the 3.2% recorded in May.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2023
Japan's price growth accelerates ahead of BOJ inflation update
Prices excluding those for fresh food gained 3.3% from a year ago, accelerating a little from the rise in May as energy prices were less of a drag on inflation.
Nikko Asset Management is ditching its bearish view on the yen, and now has a ¥135 target against the dollar by year-end.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 20, 2023
Nikko Asset shifts to bullish yen slant as Ueda bides his time
The shift in his view highlights potential upside for the yen, where inflation-adjusted interest rates have exacerbated its decline to multidecade lows.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a meeting of the government's top economic council on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 20, 2023
Japan cuts growth forecast and projects inflation over 2% BOJ target
The estimates come ahead of a Bank of Japan policy meeting next week, set to be closely watched amid market expectations the bank will soon phase out its massive stimulus program.
An overwhelming majority of Japanese firms are negative about achieving a goal of having women in 30% of executive positions by 2030, a survey shows.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 20, 2023
Firms pessimistic about hitting 30% goal for female execs by 2030, poll shows
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida set the target in June for leading companies, aiming to boost womens' management participation from 2.2% as of July 2022.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?