author

 
 

Meta

Enda Curran
For Enda Curran's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
In the U.S., proof that inflation remains sticky and the labor market sound has convinced traders to embrace the Federal Reserve’s pushback against market bets on near-term easing.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 19, 2024
Cracks start to emerge in global central bank synchronicity
The synchronization among central banks might be about to weaken as domestic drivers take over from global trends in determining price outlooks.
Shipments from China to the U.S. are increasingly making a pit stop in third countries such as Vietnam and Mexico.
BUSINESS
Feb 6, 2024
Biden wins U.S.-China trade war by Trump’s pet metric, but does it count?
Figures due Wednesday are set to show the U.S. deficit in goods trade with China in 2023 at its lowest annual level since 2010.
Gross domestic product data released on Thursday showed the U.S. economy ended the year with a bang, while China is struggling under the weight of a yearslong real estate bust and its worst streak of deflation in some 25 years.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 26, 2024
U.S. extends lead over China in race for world’s biggest economy
China was expected to experience a fast recovery as it reopened its economy fully after strict COVID-19 lockdowns, but that hasn't happened.
Fighters loyal to the Houthis ride on the back of a pick-up truck during a military parade for new tribal recruits amid escalating tensions with the U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea, in Bani Hushaish, Yemen on Monday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 24, 2024
Red Sea attacks could disrupt shipping for months, driving up costs
With sailors demanding double pay and insurance rates skyrocketing, shipping lines are steering clear of a waterway that normally carries 12% of seaborne trade.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 6, 2023
Yellen's China visit seeks to create further talks amid tensions
Yellen’s arrival this week comes days after China imposed restrictions on exporting two metals that are crucial to key technology industries, the latest escalation in an ongoing trade war.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 8, 2023
Powell’s bet against recession looks good — minus the credit crunch and a standoff
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reckons the U.S. economy can skirt recession. But the odds are stacked against him — thanks to banking, politics, and even the weather.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 31, 2023
What does China's pivot from 'zero-COVID' mean for global inflation?
China’s reopening could be the single most important factor for global growth in 2023, but there is caution that it could increase the price of oil and lift costs for consumers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jan 16, 2023
China boost for flagging world economy set as reopening starts
The growth impulse will be felt through services sectors such as aviation, tourism and education as Chinese people pack their bags for international travel.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 13, 2023
World economy walks tightrope between recession and soft landing
A variety of factors are combining to dissipate some of the gloom that engulfed financial markets at the end of 2022.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Nov 28, 2022
There’s a job-market riddle at the heart of the coming recession
Almost three years after COVID-19 hit, companies around the world still complain that they canu2019t get the talent they need.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Nov 14, 2022
From bad to worse? Next year’s economic risks are already here.
History says the Federal Reserveu2019s high-speed interest-rate hikes may well tip the U.S. into recession in 2023. Few will be surprised if spiraling natural-gas prices do the same for Europe.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 2, 2022
World economy roiled by simultaneous shocks echoing 2007 anxiety
Evidence of the impact u2014 and of the blow to consumersu2019 purchasing power from soaring prices u2014 is mounting quickly.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 29, 2022
‘Inflation fever’ is finally breaking, but central banks won’t stop hiking rates
The major global central banks, which failed to see the pandemic price shock coming, are set to press ahead with interest-rate increases even as headline inflation tops out.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 6, 2022
Wall Street says a recession is coming. Consumers say it's already here.
Prices are soaring worldwide, particularly for essential foods and fuels, eroding the spending power of families.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 15, 2022
World’s central banks got it wrong, and economies pay the price
The blunders by monetary mavens tarnish a reputation of ensuring price stability and preventing the kind of inflationary spiral that hammered middle-class incomes in the 1970s.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 15, 2022
Dollar’s strength pushes world economy deeper into slowdown
The soaring dollar is propelling the global economy deeper into a synchronized slowdown by driving up borrowing costs and stoking financial-market volatility.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 12, 2022
Hong Kong’s refusal to open border is crushing city’s businesses
The economy contracted 4% in the first quarter, one of its worst performances in the past 30 years.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 2, 2022
End of easy money brings a $410 billion global financial shock
Unlike previous tightening cycles when the U.S. Federal Reserve was alone in shrinking its balance sheet, this time others are expected to do likewise.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 29, 2022
Yen’s historic fall signals rewrite of global currency playbook
The speed of decline caught policymakers off guard, exposing a rift between a central bank intent on stoking inflation and a government facing backlash over rising prices.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Apr 1, 2022
Shifts in yen signal Japan has ‘lost its mojo’ as supreme safe haven
When measured against a basket of units of trading partners, the yen's fading allure can clearly be seen.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world