Tag - inflation

 
 

INFLATION

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. As the European Union’s biggest economy wrestles with a persistent slump and a surge in immigration, the specter of German nationalism has returned, leaving citizens more conflicted over their country’s direction than at any point since World War II.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 6, 2023
The far right is on the rise in Germany and Scholz is at a loss
Amidst economic challenges and surging immigration, German nationalism has reemerged.
A vegetable store on the Asagaya shopping street in Tokyo on Sunday
BUSINESS
Oct 30, 2023
Japan warns Middle East situation could hit economy
The government added the developments in the Middle East to factors requiring close attention, as it "could pose a downside risk to the Japanese economy."
The Bank of Japan is holding a two-day policy meeting through Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 30, 2023
Ueda faces market fallout risk as BOJ mulls yields, prices and yen
In a sign of just how fraught the discussions on policy may be, BOJ officials are likely to monitor yield movements until the very last minute.
The Tokyo core consumer price index (CPI), which excludes volatile fresh food but includes fuel costs, rose 2.7% in October from a year earlier, exceeding market forecasts for a 2.5% gain.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 27, 2023
BOJ in focus as core inflation in Tokyo unexpectedly accelerates
The data reinforces expectations the BOJ will revise up its inflation forecasts when it produces fresh quarterly projections at next week's meeting.
A pedestrian walks past an electronic signboard showing data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange and on the Japanese yen after the currency rebounded slightly after hitting ¥150 to the U.S. dollar in overnight trading, along a street in central Tokyo on Oct. 4.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 24, 2023
Germany set to eclipse Japan as No. 3 economy in 2023, IMF says
The yen’s widely watched depreciation has played an outsized role in its projected slide in position.
Traders are betting that the Bank of Japan will almost certainly end its negative interest rate policy by early next year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 24, 2023
Rising bets on BOJ policy move shift focus to ‘neutral’ rate
This theoretical rate that neither stimulates nor restricts the economy is likely somewhere in a wide range of 0.5% to 2%, according to analysts.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. Nearly 40% of respondents of the latest Bloomberg Markets Live Pulse survey said Treasurys will face the most severe impact from the BOJ shifting away from superaccommodative policy.
BUSINESS
Oct 23, 2023
When Japan ends negative rate policy, Treasurys will suffer
The Bank of Japan is likely to unwind its unusual policy of subzero rates during the first half of 2024.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, earlier this month.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 21, 2023
Americans are worried about finances, helping Trump in key states
Trump was trusted more on the economy by 49% of swing-state voters surveyed, compared to 35% for Biden.
Fruit and vegetables for sale at the entrance to a supermarket in a shopping precinct in Tokyo on Oct. 7.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 20, 2023
Japan's core inflation slows below 3% for first time in over a year
The rate has tracked above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for 18 straight months.
Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino says the labor organization will seek wage hikes of 5% or more next year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 19, 2023
Japan's largest labor group aims for wage hikes of 5% or more
Rengo will finalize its stance in December ahead of next year's wage negotiations.
For Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, tackling the impact of rising prices has become a key priority.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2023
Upcoming parliament session puts Kishida's stimulus package in spotlight
Tackling inflation has become a key priority for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as economic trends have played a part in his low approval ratings.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The central bank is likely to discuss raising its inflation projection for fiscal year 2023 and 2024 at its policy meeting later this month.
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2023
BOJ seen lifting inflation forecasts as pressure on policy grows
Central bank is also seen upgrading its forecast for 2024 from the current 1.9%, to at or above 2.0%.
The International Monetary Fund says it sees no factors for Japan to intervene in the foreign exchange market to support the yen.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 16, 2023
IMF sees no conditions for Japan to intervene in currency market
Whether Japan will intervene to support the yen has been a key focus lately, with the currency staying near ¥150 per dollar.
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.
An official speaks during a government-sponsored tour of the 2025 Osaka Expo site on Yumeshima island, Osaka, on Sept. 14.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 12, 2023
As 2025 Osaka Expo nears, foreign pavilion woes continue to mount
Over 50 countries had been expected to design and build their own pavilions. So far, only two have been greenlighted by Osaka city to begin construction.
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.
U.S. President Joe Biden joins members of the United Auto Workers union as they strike in Belleville, Michigan, on Sept. 26 to demand higher wages.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 8, 2023
Down on the Biden economy: Why Americans aren't happy
The U.S. economy is doing well. Why, then, are people not satisfied? The answer lies in their pockets.
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.
Passengers line up to board a bullet train at Tokyo Station in August.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2023
Shinkansen rail pass prices soar 70% for tourists
Even with the big increase, demand is likely to stay strong thanks to a cheaper yen and steady flow of inbound visitors.
Bank of Japan board members discussed progress toward their inflation target and the need to put together an exit strategy in their September policy meeting.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 2, 2023
BOJ board members see price goal progress and need to plan exit
The comments are likely to strengthen expectations among BOJ watchers that the central bank will adjust policy in early 2024.

Longform

A store clerk tries to cool things down in front of their shop by spraying a hose.
Is extreme weather changing the way Japan shops?