Economy | ANALYSIS
Households to take hit from tax hike
by Tomoko Otake
The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.
Japan-related Aug 6, 2013
'Abenomics' stirring optimism in Southeast Asia
by Simon Tay
Even if Abenomics succeeds, there is no return to the days when Japanese invested in ASEAN for cheap land and labor, and dominated the region with little competition.
Japan-related | SENTAKU MAGAZINE Jul 28, 2013
Farmers can't bank on Abe
Japan's farmers must scrutinize what Shinzo Abe says so as not to be deceived by him again. The prime minister has never promised to protect their future.
Japan-related Jul 28, 2013
Cheer over Reagan's arrival won't trickle down to most Japanese
by William Pesek
The Ronald Reagan moment Japan investors have long fantasized about has finally arrived. Shinzo Abe’s plan to restore Japan’s economic might draws heavily upon principles long associated with the former U.S. president: welfare-spending cuts, debt-swelling tax reductions for the wealthy and corporations, deregulation, a ...
Economy Jul 26, 2013
Consumer prices rise at fastest pace since 2008: ministry data
Consumer prices in June rose the most since 2008, 0.4 percent from a year earlier, an early sign that Japan’s economy may be starting to shake off deflation, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry said Friday. The median estimate of 29 economists was for ...
Editorial Jul 25, 2013
Economic turnaround to what?
Although a government white paper lauds the prime minister's "Abenomics" policy, it's not clear whether stronger business earnings will lead to higher wages.
Economy Jul 23, 2013
Latest assessment adds 'recovery' to rhetoric
The government Tuesday upgraded its basic assessment of the economy for the third straight month as business investment has begun showing signs of bouncing back, using the word “recovery” for the first time in 10 months. In its monthly economic report for July, the ...
Business Jul 22, 2013
Poll outcome may benefit economy
by Jun Hongo
With the ballots tallied and the opposition crushed, observers predict the ruling bloc’s landslide victory Sunday amid the third-lowest voter turnout ever for a House of Councilors poll will have a positive impact on the economy and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s stewardship of it. ...
Japan-related | SENTAKU MAGAZINE Jul 21, 2013
Hesitating on sales tax hike?
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is said to be considering delaying the increase in the consumption tax rate currently scheduled to take effect in April 2014.
Business Jul 21, 2013
Confidence in monetary easing growing among G-20, Kuroda says
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda says confidence in the central bank's radical monetary easing experiment is spreading among the Group of 20 finance chiefs.
Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Jul 20, 2013
Abe-power: Can premier deliver on promises and growth strategy?
by Jeff Kingston
Once the dust settles tonight, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party/New Komeito coalition will be in control of both houses of the Diet, promising an end to political gridlock. But with power comes responsibility, and now the pressure is on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to ...
Business Jul 20, 2013
G-20 vows to prioritize employment, economic growth in short term
The finance chiefs of the Group of 20 major economies pledge to take necessary steps to boost job creation and economic growth as a near-term priority.
Editorial Jul 14, 2013
Reverse devolution and other rifts
Governors of Japan's 47 prefectures are not singing the praises of "Abenomics" and devolution efforts. For Kyoto's governor, devolution is in reverse.