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Erica Yokoyama
For Erica Yokoyama's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 15, 2023
Japan’s exports grow at weakest pace since 2021 as demand slows
Declines in exports of mineral fuel, chip making machinery and semiconductor parts dragged on shipments abroad.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 8, 2023
Japan’s economy grows faster than expected amid strong investment
GDP grew at an annualized 2.7% in the January-March quarter from the previous three months, revised figures showed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 6, 2023
Weak Japan wage results offer little for Kishida or BOJ
Real cash earnings for Japan’s workers dropped 3.0% from a year earlier in April, slipping for the 13th month as overtime pay showed weakness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 31, 2023
Japan's factory output sees unexpected decline
In April, industrial production fell 0.4% from the previous month after two consecutive months of increases, marking a weak start to the country’s second quarter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2023
BOJ expected to build case for policy shift in second half of 2024: report
From Ueda’s experience as a board member who voted against a premature rate increase in the early 2000s, the governor is said to be wary of abandoning stimulus too quickly.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2023
Japan's jobless rate falls in potential future boost for BOJ goal
The jobless rate dropped to 2.6% in April, down from 2.8% in March, while the number of those without jobs declined by 150,000 from the previous month.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 19, 2023
Japan’s inflation quickens again, putting pressure on BOJ view
Economists see resilient consumption sustaining the country’s recovery for the foreseeable future.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 18, 2023
Imports fall for first time in two years, easing impact as export growth slows
The trend cushions the hit of a global economic slowdown weighing on exports, reflecting a fall in prices for commodities including crude oil and liquid natural gas.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 17, 2023
Japan’s better-than-expected growth keeps early poll on table
The stronger-than-forecast reading may keep speculation simmering of a possible early election and changes to central bank policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 28, 2023
Tokyo inflation regains momentum as BOJ prepares price forecasts
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.5% in the capital in April, picking up speed from the previous month’s 3.2% pace.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 21, 2023
Credit Suisse AT1 bond writeoff hands $1 billion loss to Japan investors
It’s 'regrettable” that the fallout from Credit Suisse’s woes affected investors in Japan, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 12, 2023
Former BOJ chief Kuroda joins Japan’s GRIPS policy school as fellow
Kuroda, who ended his decadelong term helming the central bank last week, has taken up a senior fellow position at the Tokyo-based graduate school.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2023
Japan real wages extend fall in challenge for next BOJ chief
Real cash earnings for Japan’s workers dropped 2.6% from a year earlier in February, matching economists’ forecast, the labor ministry reported Friday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 4, 2023
BOJ should review yield curve control under Ueda, ex-finance official says
Takehiko Nakao, a former vice minister for international affairs, stressed the need for a policy tweak — even if that results in short-term shocks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 3, 2023
Japan’s manufacturer sentiment worsens in support of BOJ policy
The deterioration in manufacturers’ confidence reflects concerns over a possible global slowdown amid interest rate rises, suggesting a need for the central bank to keep up QE.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 24, 2023
Japan inflation slows but underlying price strength remains
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.1% in February from a year ago, decelerating by more than a percentage point from the previous month on cheaper energy costs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 18, 2023
BOJ’s path in focus after Japan labor unions win big pay raises
The results were above economist expectations and follow the BOJ governor's comments that suggested sustained pay hikes of 3% are needed for the bank to normalize its massive easing policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 16, 2023
Japan's trade deficit narrows sharply from record as imports slow
The trade gap shrank to ¥897.7 billion ($6.8 billion) from ¥3.5 trillion in January, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 10, 2023
Japan's consumption rebounds by most since March, despite inflation
The latest data indicates there was a rebound in consumer confidence at the start of this year despite concerns about higher prices in fuel and daily necessities.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 9, 2023
Japan’s economy narrowly avoids recession in fragile recovery
The ongoing weakness in the economy supports the central bank’s view that Japan still needs help from easy monetary policy.

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