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October 11, 2025
 

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Kazuaki Nagata

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Kazuaki Nagata
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 11, 2022
What's behind Kishida's plan to spur household investment
Considering the cautious stance investors have taken toward his economic policies, the Prime Minister's speech highlighted a more market-friendly side.
BUSINESS
May 6, 2022
Russian wood ban puts further pressure on Japan's lumber industry
Lumber prices have already been high, and now limits on imports of Russian wood are restricting access to crucial items and adding to the inflationary trend.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 27, 2022
Many have seen a weak yen as being good for Japan. That view is fading fast.
Frustration over the yen's recent slide is growing among policymakers and in the business community, while some economists say the fall is hurting the nation's economy more than helping it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 26, 2022
Kishida unveils economic measures to counter inflation
The government's package includes steps aimed at addressing rising gasoline prices and supporting low-income households with children.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Apr 19, 2022
Japan’s trade shifts mean a weak yen is likely here to stay
The nation is expected to face a chronic trade deficit, putting further downward pressure on the yen.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Apr 6, 2022
As Japan's politicians call for big spending amid price hikes, some question the timing
With an Upper House election approaching in July, economists have pointed out that the move appears to be politically motivated.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 1, 2022
It's almost time for the TSE's restructuring, but frustrations linger
Reforms set to be rolled out on Monday are intended to bring clarity to the roles of the exchange's segments, but critics say bloat is still a major issue.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 29, 2022
Yen's weakness casts a pall over Japan’s economy
Conventionally, a weak yen is believed to have benefits for the Japanese economy, as it helps exports, but the pandemic and Ukraine conflict complicate things this time around.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Mar 15, 2022
Japan firms brace for more supply chain disruption after Ukraine war
Despite rarely procuring goods from Russia or Ukraine directly, Japan's manufacturers remain vulnerable to the war's far-reaching repercussions.
BUSINESS
Mar 4, 2022
Japan reinforces countermeasures against rapidly rising oil prices
To cushion the impact of soaring oil prices due to the war in Ukraine, the government said Friday that it will bolster a subsidy program for oil wholesalers.
BUSINESS
Mar 1, 2022
Japan's eased border restrictions offer hope for struggling business sectors
From major tech companies to elderly care facilities, Japanese businesses have had to battle through the pandemic without the foreign staffers they need.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2022
Cabinet approves bill to beef up Japan's economic security
Improving economic security is one of the primary policy agendas proposed by Kishida amid the pandemic and the growing rivalry between the United States and China.
BUSINESS
Feb 25, 2022
Japan braces for even higher inflation amid Ukraine crisis
Russia's invasion of Ukraine will only exacerbate an existing inflationary trend, thereby increasing the burden on firms and households.
BUSINESS
Feb 14, 2022
New bill looks to beef up Japan's economic security, but firms are wary
The planned legislation would cover a range of sectors, with penalties for those that don't comply, but businesses worry that it could harm international competitiveness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Feb 9, 2022
Why Japan's wages aren't rising
Initially triggered by financial crises in the 1990s, economists today point to other factors affecting stagnant wage growth.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 3, 2022
Global inflation wave pushes up prices in Japan on everything from pasta to gasoline
Japanese companies are generally reluctant to pass higher costs on to price-sensitive consumers, but many feel they have no choice and prices on a slew of products are on the rise.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jan 26, 2022
Microsoft’s Activision purchase could leave Japanese video game-makers out in the cold
Japanese gaming firms, which are generally less agile and outward-looking than their U.S. peers, may struggle as companies invest in the metaverse.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jan 25, 2022
Amid the 'buy now, pay later' boom, Japan takes a different path
The country's unique approach to credit card payments undercuts the appeal of BNPL seen elsewhere, with the service finding a different niche as a result.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / Outlook 2022
Jan 2, 2022
For first time in two years, Japan has some room for economic optimism
Omicron and inflation risks loom, but economists expect 2022 to be a year of recovery as consumption rises and people tap into the savings they've built up over the pandemic.
JAPAN
Dec 24, 2021
Japan’s draft budget hits record high for 10th straight year
Spending on areas such as social security and defense has jumped, while estimated tax revenue has been revised upwards.
Takaichi's PM bid faces further headwinds with coalition split
LDP leader Sanae Takaichi and Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito attend a party leaders' meeting on Friday in Tokyo.
Powerful earthquake strikes off southern Philippines
Authorities inspect a damaged wall and a car outside a mall in Butuan, Philippines, on Friday, after a major earthquake struck the area.
Japan to move toward five-year integrated bachelor's-master’s programs
Japan plans to introduce nationwide five-year bachelor's-master's programs to raise graduate school enrollment and train more highly skilled professionals amid a shrinking workforce.
Tokyo named world’s best big city for second straight year
Tokyo was ranked the world's best large city for the second year in a row in the Conde Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards.
Chemistry Nobel winner Kitagawa says downtime helped him think up new material
Susumu Kitagawa speaks to reporters at Kyoto University on Wednesday after receiving the news that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry the same day.
Ghost of Yotei’s bloodstained fun sidesteps Ainu identity
Ghost of Yotei, the follow-up to 2020's smash hit Ghost of Tsushima, is a violent, vengeful and engaging romp through 17th-century Hokkaido that fails to stick the landing on its most sensitive cultural material.
‘Takaichi trade’ starts unwinding as political calculus upended by Komeito exit
Less than a week ago, Sanae Takaichi seemed set to become Japan's first female prime minister.
‘Save the Ring’ calls intensify as Osaka Expo’s end nears
Visitors lounge on the grassy hill on the top of the Grand Ring during the 2025 Osaka Expo in the city of Osaka in May.
A Japanese comedian walks into an Aussie bar … and stays there
Takashi “Waka” Wakasugi stopped by the Tokyo Comedy Bar in Shibuya Ward last month following his stint at Edinburgh Festival Fringe performing his show “Comedy Samurai.”
Chemistry Nobel winner Kitagawa says downtime helped him think up new material
Susumu Kitagawa speaks to reporters at Kyoto University on Wednesday after receiving the news that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry the same day.

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