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Takaya Yamaguchi
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s JASM plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Sept. 13
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 11, 2024
Japan unveils ¥10 trillion plan to aid domestic chip industry
The plan, which will provide the support by fiscal 2030, comes as countries look to strengthen control over their chip supply chains.
Digital transformation minister Taro Kono has described Japan's current fiscal state as an "emergency situation," saying the nation has to regain fiscal discipline.
JAPAN
Sep 4, 2024
Japan's budget demands hit record as leadership race steps up
The race could complicate Tokyo's efforts to restore fiscal discipline.
The central and Tokyo governments, which own 100% of Tokyo Metro, expect to receive approval for the firm's listing from the Tokyo Stock Exchange as soon as mid-September, sources said.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 19, 2024
$4.7 billion valuation for Tokyo Metro targeted in IPO, sources say
Tokyo Metro could have Japan's biggest initial public offering in roughly six years.
A monitor at a foreign exchange brokerage in Tokyo shows the yen falling below ¥161 against the dollar on Friday morning.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 28, 2024
Japan names new forex diplomat as yen hits 38-year low
Atsushi Mimura, a financial regulation veteran, replaces Masato Kanda, who launched the biggest yen-buying intervention on record this year.
The draft of this year's long-term economic policy road map says consumption is stalling even though Japan's economy is continuing to recover moderately.
BUSINESS
Jun 4, 2024
Draft economic policy road map warns of weak yen's impact on households
The reference to the weak yen's impact will likely keep the Bank of Japan under pressure to raise interest rates or slow its huge bond buying.
Trade no longer generates a surplus in Japan, reflecting a surge in the cost of energy imports and an increase in offshore production.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 30, 2024
Yen's relentless slide revives Japan's interest in structural reforms
The currency's persistent weakness has alerted policymakers to more fundamental drivers behind it, such as the nation's dwindling global competitiveness.
Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, is closely watching how an expected end to negative interest rates in Japan affect markets.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 25, 2024
Top forex diplomat vigilant over market impact from BOJ stimulus exit
As vice finance minister for international affairs, Masato Kanda oversees currency policy.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is saluted by Maritime Self-Defense Force members during the International Fleet Review to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the MSDF, at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, on Nov. 6, 2022.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 3, 2023
Weak yen forces Japan to cut back on historic military spending
Officials and industry sources said Japan will begin cutting back on aircraft purchases in 2024, the second year of the buildup plan, due to the weak yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2023
Japan's financial regulator sounds out top banks about China risks
The Financial Services Agency has asked whether they have plans in place if Sino-Western tensions escalate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 23, 2022
Japan unveils record budget in boost to military capabilities
The draft budget features record military and welfare spending as Japan confronts regional security challenges from an ever-assertive China and an unpredictable North Korea.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 22, 2022
Japan to rein in bond sales in fiscal 2023-2024
Japan's Ministry of Finance plans to reduce government bond sales to u00a5190 trillion ($1.44 trillion) in the fiscal year beginning April 1.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2022
Japan to increase defense budget by ¥1 trillion in fiscal 2023
The budget increase is aimed at procurement of ammunition and expenses related to long-range missiles.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 7, 2022
Fate of Toshiba management causing friction for banks in buyout plan
There is concern preferred bidder JIP's plan to retain Toshiba CEO Taro Shimada and his team could impede the reorganization needed to put the firm on the road to recovery.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 19, 2022
With weak yen, Japan aims to earn $34 billion from tourists next fiscal year
Japan must balance between spending its way out of the COVID-induced doldrums while reining in the industrial world's heaviest public debt.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 18, 2022
Toshiba's preferred bidder offers less than key ¥6,000 a share, sources say
During a strategic review last year, at least one global private equity firm told Toshiba's review committee that a deal could be done at u00a56,000 a share or more.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 21, 2022
Toshiba narrows buyout bidders to Bain, CVC, Brookfield and Japanese consortium, sources say
The race for what could be the country's biggest buyout deal this year is gathering pace, as the four bidders are now invited to conduct due diligence for several months.
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 27, 2022
Japan to 'drastically strengthen' defense capability, policy draft says
The draft does not specify security threats in the region, but Japan's defense planners have expressed repeated concern about China and North Korea.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 23, 2022
Kishida eyes fresh spending package to cushion blow of rising costs
The war in Ukraine has triggered a rise in energy and raw material costs which have pushed up the cost of imported goods in a blow to Japan's fragile economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 24, 2020
Japan prefers piecemeal approach over big bailout for carrier ANA
The approach marks a stark contrast to the bold moves other countries have made to protect flagship carriers.

Longform

People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
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