Tag - economy

 
 

ECONOMY

The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 15, 2023
BOJ bought over ¥1 quadrillion in bonds in decade of easing policy
The central bank held about ¥580 trillion worth of government bonds as of the end of June, equivalent to 53% of outstanding government debt.
Hiroshi Watanabe, former Japanese currency policy chief and onetime head of  the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, speaks during an interview in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Oct 15, 2023
IMF warning on China puts 'Japanization' risk in spotlight
Stalling inflation and a deepening real estate crisis were said to be among the biggest risks to global growth during a recent IMF and World Bank meeting.
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki (front right) arrives for a news conference during the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, in Marrakech, Morocco, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 14, 2023
Japan tells G20 it may need to act in FX market
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki's remarks came as the yen renewed its declines against the dollar.
Vitor Gaspar, director of the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department
BUSINESS
Oct 13, 2023
IMF official says fiscal reform will only grow more difficult
According to data from the IMF, Japan's national debt-to-GDP ratio topped 260% in 2022.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters on Tuesday in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Oct 12, 2023
Why are ruling party lawmakers calling for tax cuts?
As the prime minister prepares for a new economic stimulus package, it's members of his own party who are raising a fuss.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo gives a news conference at the Boeing aircraft hangar facility in Shanghai on Aug. 30.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 12, 2023
Foreign businesses face a hostile China
The Chinese government's "zero-COVID" policy and regulatory favoritism toward local companies have created obstacles for foreign businesses.
Most projections show the world will hit peak humanity in the 21st century as people choose to have smaller families and women gain power over their own reproduction.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 11, 2023
Don’t worry about global population collapse
While environmentalists have long warned of a planet with too many people, now some economists are warning of a future with too few.
Chinese tourists arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo in August as China lifted a ban on group tours that month.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 10, 2023
IMF lifts Japan's 2023 growth forecast to 2% amid tourism boom
The number of foreign visitors — which this summer returned to about 85% of prepandemic levels — is expected to increase further.
The Bank of Japan is considering raising its inflation outlook for the current business year, which runs to March, to near 3%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 10, 2023
BOJ considering higher inflation outlook, at near 3%, sources say
An upward revision would reflect price hikes broadening further than expected, rising crude oil prices and the yen's impact on import prices.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration faces discontent within the ruling coalition, mounting frustration from conservative elements in the LDP and persistently low public approval ratings.
COMMENTARY
Oct 10, 2023
As cracks form, Kishida’s political ship takes on water
The Kishida administration faces discontent within the ruling coalition, frustration from LDP conservatives and and low public approval ratings.
A revival of inbound tourism helped push up Japan's current account surplus in August.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 10, 2023
Current account surplus triples to ¥2.28 trillion in August
The country was in the black for the seventh straight month, according to a preliminary report from the Finance Ministry.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo in September.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 9, 2023
Wage hikes key for BOJ policy normalization
Wage growth trends during next year's spring labor-management negotiations will be closely watched for indicators.
Since Prime Minister Fumio Kishida launched his administration in 2021, he has vowed to boost spending by trillions of yen to tackle some deep-rooted issues. But how exactly the government will fund such efforts remains unclear.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 8, 2023
Private group calls for independent body to monitor long-term fiscal policy
The proposal suggests future projections can help citizens think more seriously about how fiscal matters could affect future generations.
A lithium mine near Itinga, Minas Gerais state, Brazil
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 6, 2023
We’re not even close to running out of green minerals
Rising reserves challenge fears of mineral shortages in green transition.
From happōshu to real beer, Japan’s tax changes aim to improve brewing quality and prices.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Oct 6, 2023
Amid rising costs, why is Japan making beer cheaper?
A 350-milliliter can of brew costs drinkers about ¥7 (5 cents) less from October, thanks to changes in the country’s tax system.
Then-U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, announces a slew of retaliatory measures against China, including sanctions, at a news conference at the White House in May 2020.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 6, 2023
Protectionism started the geopolitical fire
The protectionism in the post-pandemic economic shutdowns will also impact international relations.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. BOJ officials responded in July to upside risks to inflation by essentially raising the upper limit for 10-year bond yields, in the first surprise move under Gov. Kazuo Ueda.
BUSINESS
Oct 6, 2023
BOJ may review easing and guidance this month, ex-official says
The central bank faces a recent rise in yields, the yen’s slide and inflation consistently coming in stronger than expected.
Japan's real wages in August declined for a 17th straight month, as persistent price hikes continued to outpace salaries.
BUSINESS
Oct 6, 2023
Japan's slower-than-forecast wage growth supports BOJ caution
Nominal cash earnings for workers rose 1.1% from the previous year, matching the revised figure from the previous month.
Generative AI will change work for young professionals, but their reasoning skills will still be needed.
COMMENTARY
Oct 5, 2023
Is ChatGPT coming for entry-level jobs?
If entry-level workers get that much faster and better, won’t companies be able to get by with fewer of them? Maybe.
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 4, 2023
Surging Tokyo property prices squeeze out young professionals
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.

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