Tag - japanese-economy

 
 

JAPANESE ECONOMY

The administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday approved this year's honebuto economic and fiscal policy guidelines.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 21, 2024
Japanese government restores 2025 primary budget surplus target
In its economic blueprint, the Kishida administration has pledged a balanced budget other than interest payments by fiscal 2025.
Tourists walk through Nakamise shopping street near Sensoji temple in Tokyo. This year is expected to bring 33 million travelers to Japan, an unprecedented surge and a 30% increase from last year.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 21, 2024
How an arrival tax could stem the overtourism tide
How can Japan ensure that tourism benefits locals and travelers alike? There's no silver bullet but an arrival tax of around $40 could be a good starting point.
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.
Most Japanese companies see no need for their government to follow the U.S. in raising tariffs on Chinese imports, a survey has found.
BUSINESS
Jun 20, 2024
Most Japanese firms see no need to follow U.S. with tariffs on China
U.S. President Joe Biden last month unveiled steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese goods.
Richard Katz argues in his new book that the key to Japan emerging from decades of economic sluggishness depends on stimulating companies with high energy and dynamism, over the lumbering, older firms.
CULTURE / Books
Jun 20, 2024
Hope for Japan, if the elephants get out of the way
Protecting older companies, the jobs they have produced and the political and financial relationships they have nurtured, starves newer, more innovative businesses.
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.
Since Koji Sato, 54, became Toyota CEO in April last year, the automaker has announced its biggest share buyback on record.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 19, 2024
Influx of new CEOs in Japan brings shift in generational mindset
Many of the new crop of leaders were in junior roles as the nation’s economic miracle unraveled, and they’re now seeking out new ways of doing things.
Japan's exports in May showed the largest year-on-year increase since November 2022, but persistent weakness in the yen is raising concerns about the potential for a resurgence in cost-push inflation.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 19, 2024
Japan’s exports grow most since 2022 on boost from weak yen
Exports increased 13.5% from a year ago in May, marking a sixth month of gains, the Finance Ministry reported.
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.
Core machinery orders in April dropped month-on-month for the first time in three months, but the Cabinet Office said they are continuing to show signs of picking up.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 17, 2024
Japan's core machinery orders down in April but seen firming up ahead
Core orders fell 2.9% month-on-month in April, the first drop in three months.
The city of Fukuoka. The government plans to draw up guidelines for supporting midsize companies, many of which have headquarters outside big cities and are expected to play key roles in boosting regional economies.
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 17, 2024
Japan to compile guidelines on supporting midsize firms
The guidelines will specify how support should be provided to such companies based on their management conditions.
Tokyo has proved to be an attractive destination for Chinese entrepreneurs in recent times, away from the challenges hitting the economy at home.
BUSINESS
Jun 16, 2024
Chinese entrepreneurs bet on Japan
A Chinese-language MBA program has been catering to those seeking opportunities in Tokyo.
Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett attends the opening ceremony of Tungaloy's new plant in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, in  November 2011. Buffett says Tokyo executives are good value for money amid a widening pay gap between local and foreign business leaders.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 14, 2024
The pay gap in Japan’s boardrooms is unacceptable
The job market in Japan is, at all levels, much less liquid and executives are less likely to need incentives to avoid jumping ship to rivals.
Companies need to address health issues unique to women to ensure they build their career without having to leave their jobs, a government white paper said.
JAPAN / Society
Jun 14, 2024
Japan government urges firms to consider women's health
There is a correlation between health awareness and motivation for promotion for both men and women, according to the paper.
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.
Recently, Japan designated Hokkaido Prefecture (including its capital, Sapporo), Fukuoka, Tokyo and Osaka as special zones for financial and asset management businesses. Kumamoto Prefecture was also named a national strategic zone for semiconductors.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 14, 2024
International social infrastructure key to Japan’s high-tech future
Across the globe there is an ongoing search for talent, especially in high-tech sectors, and Japan is no different.
Only 6% of the Japanese workforce is engaged while a third of the workforce is job hunting or looking out for new opportunities, according to a Gallup report.
BUSINESS
Jun 12, 2024
Despite its hardworking image, Japan might be No. 1 in quiet quitting
Only 6% of the Japanese workforce is engaged, one of the lowest readings in the world, according to a Gallup report.
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.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
JAPAN
Jun 11, 2024
Japan to stick to goal of primary budget surplus next fiscal year
The government will also continue to try to lower the ratio of debt to gross domestic product, a draft of annual policy guidelines for budget planning said.
Bankruptcies rose especially among restaurant operators amid labor shortages and rising labor costs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 11, 2024
Japan corporate bankruptcies surge above 1,000 in May
The latest result came as many companies struggle with rising prices, as well as labor shortages mainly in the service sector.

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'