Tag - economy

 
 

ECONOMY

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.
Ryu Kawane works at the Costco store in Meiwa, Gunma Prefecture. Costco's high pay has triggered wage hikes at other businesses in town.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 6, 2024
Costco's Japan wages provide pathway to firing up nation's low pay and economy
A sustainable rise in wages is a key goal for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Bank of Japan says it's a crucial factor for normalizing monetary policy.
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.
Geely Automobile Holdings' Zeekr electric vehicles bound for shipment to Europe at the Port of Taicang in Taicang, Jiangsu Province, China, on Aug. 24, 2023
BUSINESS / Tech
Jun 5, 2024
China risks trade war on two fronts as low-tech exports soar, too
The European Union is poised to slap tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this week, the latest example of rising barriers to global trade.
Today's leaders need to balance national security measures with global cooperation to prevent the unraveling of the world's economy.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 4, 2024
The global economy is more fragile than it seems
Today's leaders need to balance national security measures with global cooperation to prevent the unraveling of the world's economy.
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.
Toshimitsu Motegi
JAPAN
Jun 2, 2024
LDP's Motegi calls for fully opening up ride-hailing market
Starting in April, ride-hailing services are allowed in some parts of the country, but operators of such services are limited to taxi companies now.
The ultimate challenge for the next government is to balance infrastructure investment with measures that improve household financial stability and income.
COMMENTARY / World
May 29, 2024
India’s election winner has a repair job waiting
The ultimate challenge for the next Indian government is to balance infrastructure investment with measures that improve household financial stability and income.
The National Diet Building in Nagatacho, Tokyo. The guidelines, to be released as early as this month, are expected to include measures to ensure that higher costs are reflected in product and service prices.
JAPAN
Jun 1, 2024
Japan to highlight resolve to defeat deflation
According to a draft, the government will aim to build a sustainable economy and society while resolving social problems the country faces.
The dollar’s about-face came after Fed Chair Jerome Powell waved off worries that the central bank may raise interest rates again.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2024
The dollar’s rally falters as signs of cooling ease Fed fears
The dollar’s about-face came after Fed Chair Jerome Powell waved off worries that the central bank may raise interest rates again.
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.
As mind-numbingly big as the clean-energy price tag may be, it’s actually a bargain compared with the potential economic destruction of unabated climate change.
COMMENTARY / World
May 31, 2024
$215 trillion to save the planet is a bargain
And as mind-numbingly big as $215 trillion may be, it’s actually a bargain compared with the potential economic destruction of unabated climate change.
Keidanren Chairman Masakazu Tokura speaks during an interview in Tokyo on May 23.
BUSINESS
May 31, 2024
Keidanren to propose policy on foreign workers
The association will draw up a medium-term vision of the economy and society called "Future Design 2040."
Transport minister Tetsuo Saito speaks to reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
JAPAN
May 31, 2024
Government defers decision on ride-hailing services
Some officials from the transport ministry and Komeito are strongly opposed to fully lifting the current ban.
A residential development under construction in Shanghai in February. Problems in the property sector have had a negative impact across broad areas of China's economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 31, 2024
China's factory activity unexpectedly dips as property pain persists
The disappointing number adds to a series of recent indicators showing the $18.6 trillion economy is struggling to get back on its feet.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 1.9% in May in the capital, internal affairs ministry data showed Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 31, 2024
Tokyo inflation picked up in May, keeping BOJ on track for rate hike
The capital's inflation figures typically serve a indicator for national trends, suggesting a similar acceleration is likely for the rest of Japan.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government is implementing a tax cut of ¥40,000 per person from June to ensure income growth that outpaces inflation.
BUSINESS
May 31, 2024
Kishida government's much-touted tax cut to start in June
The prime minister has stressed that the tax cut is designed to ensure income growth that outpaces inflation.

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