author

 
 

Meta

Shigeki Nozawa
For Shigeki Nozawa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 2, 2021
World’s biggest pension fund makes record cut to U.S. bond weighting
The Government Pension Investment Fund made a record cut to its weighting of U.S. government bonds last fiscal year as it increased investments into European sovereign debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 14, 2017
After initial foray, Japan's pension fund plans to buy even more socially responsible assets
The world's largest pension fund aims to boost and broaden its socially responsible assets after buying them for the first time this year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 6, 2017
Japan's pension fund, the world's biggest, faces yen risk as Trump rally fades
The world's biggest pension may find that when it comes to returns on its $1.3 trillion in assets, Donald Trump giveth and taketh away.
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Aug 31, 2016
Talk persists of 'helicopter money' despite Kuroda denials
Speculation of so-called helicopter money refuses to die in Japan, despite repeated denials by Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 18, 2016
BOJ cornered as Japanese banks seen running out of bonds to sell
The nation's biggest banks are running out of room to sell their government bond holdings, pushing the central bank closer to the limits of its record monetary easing.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Aug 1, 2016
Pension fund's huge ¥5.3 trillion loss tied to management's passive investing
Friday was a big day for the world's largest pension fund, which posted its worst annual loss since the financial crisis and disclosed individual equity holdings for the first time. The two may be connected.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 27, 2016
GPIF head says too soon to pass verdict on negative rates
Stocks tumbled, the yen strengthened and bond yields melted away after Japan moved to negative interest rates, but the head of the country's giant pension fund is far from fazed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 9, 2016
Negative interest rates to hit Japan Post Bank hard as bond yields plunge
Japan Post Bank Co. stands to lose the most from the Bank of Japan's decision to introduce negative interest rates as plummeting bond yields underscore its reliance on the country's debt for income.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 29, 2015
Yen guru Gyohten says Abe must stimulate economy, as BOJ has done its part
Toyoo Gyohten, a former currency policy chief at the Finance Ministry, says 2016 will be the year for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take up the mantle of stimulus from the Bank of Japan, which has done all it can to revive the economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 20, 2015
BOJ easing seen as blunt tool by one fund, blowing bubbles by another
TCW Group Inc. says the Bank of Japan has made a mistake and should exit quantitative easing as soon as possible. Invesco Ltd. says the only error was not starting sooner.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 27, 2015
One year after BOJ 'Halloween easing,' investors eye repeat
The Bank of Japan and a state money manager worked hand in hand last October with surprise easing and a portfolio reshuffle that boosted both stock and bond markets. This year, a similar one-two punch is not off the cards.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 30, 2015
GPIF's smaller clones seen as savior to BOJ as it runs out of bonds to buy
The Bank of Japan's search for fresh bonds to fuel its unprecedented asset-purchase program is set to get easier as public retirement funds with $276 billion turn into sellers of government debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 18, 2015
Former vice finance minister Sakakibara sees end to era of weaker yen
The era of a weaker yen is coming to an end and Japan's currency may strengthen toward 115 per dollar, according to Eisuke Sakakibara, a former vice finance minister.
BUSINESS
Sep 16, 2015
Bank of Japan shields bonds from equity storm with steady buying
Amid a storm of volatility in Japanese stocks, the Bank of Japan has kept the bond market a pool of serenity.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Aug 31, 2015
Three strikes on inflation spur calls for overhaul of 'Abenomics'
The third time inflation has fallen to zero in this year persuaded some market watchers that "Abenomics" needs to be taken back for an overhaul.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 25, 2015
Rout seen as encouraging Japan banks' flight to U.S. treasuries
Japanese banks were already returning to U.S. Treasuries before a plunge in global markets made Federal Reserve rate increases an even more distant prospect.
BUSINESS
Aug 10, 2015
Good times over for Japan teachers fund, now seeking to avoid losses
Japan's investment fund for teachers has switched its focus to avoiding losses, predicting the best days are over for both stocks and bonds.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 27, 2015
BOJ's CPI overhaul suggests bond-buying slowdown, analysts say
The Bank of Japan's drive to change the way inflation is measured suggests a tapering of bond-buying stimulus will come sooner than markets think.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 16, 2015
GPIF head says no need to be 'bang on' with asset targets
The world's biggest pension fund, nearing the end of a plan to shift its asset mix and bulk up on equities, need not rush itself to reach new allocation targets, according to its president.
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Jun 16, 2015
Kuroda yen u-turn message was aimed at TPP renegades in Washington
When Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda said in Tokyo last week the yen has weakened enough, his key audience was 11,000 km away in Washington.

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