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.
How-tos | HOME TRUTHS Sep 2, 2013
Housing loans: Nothing is 100 percent easy
by Philip Brasor and Masako Tsubuku
The government has yet to confirm the timing of the approved consumption tax increase from 5 to 8 percent. It’s slated to take place next April but there is still fear that the economy is too frail to withstand the effect the added tax ...
Corporate Aug 18, 2013
Mizuho Bank starts flexible mortgage payment program
Mizuho Bank on Monday will introduce a housing loan program that lets borrowers reduce their regular repayments when they are in need of money and repay the installments when they are in better financial shape. The program, which can be applied to existing housing ...