author

 
 

Meta

Hiroko Komiya
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 9, 2023
Japan investors sold record foreign debt in 2022 as hedging costs rose
Money managers in the nation cut holdings of foreign fixed-income securities by ¥23.8 trillion over the period, an all-time high in data since 1996.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 10, 2022
Demand for bonds is back, with BOJ no longer the only buyer in town
A pullback in bets on a Bank of Japan policy tweak resulted in record monthly purchases from overseas funds in July.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 20, 2022
Big yen short in doubt for global traders even as Tokyo piles in
A split seems to be forming between a growing number of bearish yen watchers in Tokyo and their more positive foreign counterparts.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 13, 2022
The yen is now resurgent even as broad dollar strength persists
Analysts say the yen has plenty of room to recover as the Bank of Japan has stuck to a dovish tone even as other major central banks have tightened policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 8, 2019
Surging yen likely to clobber Rugby World Cup visitors to Japan
For Rugby World Cup fans budgeting for the trip of a lifetime to Japan this fall, the recent surge in the yen could have come at a better time. And the currency gods seem to be inflicting the most pain on followers of teams with the highest chance of winning.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 10, 2017
Political risk seeps into yen trade as Japan's Abe faces popular upstart in October election
It's been five years since politics captured much attention from the foreign-exchange world in Japan, but traders are now gaming out potential scenarios for the yen after the Oct. 22 general election.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 19, 2016
Hedge fund analyst foresees ¥75 per dollar in 40-year climb
The yen is on a 40-year technically driven climb and that means the Bank of Japan needs to push ahead with radical stimulus next week to avoid this year's surge accelerating, according to Tokyo-based hedge fund GCI Asset Management.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 27, 2016
Chinese tourist spending under threat as yuan slides 10% against yen
Chinese tourists tumbling off buses into the Laox duty-free store in Tokyo's bustling Ginza district say the yuan's drop against the yen may make them think twice about splurging during their shopping tours.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jun 22, 2015
Kuroda's inflation optimism winning over consumers, bond investors
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's faith he can push inflation from zero to 2 percent in about a year is starting to win over consumers and bond investors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
May 21, 2015
Yen's stealthy depreciation disguised by resilience versus dollar
Don't be fooled by the yen's recent resilience against the dollar — it's dropping against the rest of its major peers at the fastest pace in six months.
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Dec 30, 2014
Yen's slump seen longest since gold standard ended
If your New Year's wish is for more yen weakness, get ready to celebrate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 9, 2014
Yen slide is unchecked by government ahead of election
Japanese officials have signaled their blessing of a weaker yen as polls show Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's coalition may expand its Lower House majority in this weekend's election.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jul 18, 2014
Kuroda softens yen stance as export pain eases
Foreign-exchange traders detect a softening in Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda's stance toward the stronger yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Mar 3, 2014
Yen's fading clout threat to BOJ inflation goal
The rising cost of overseas travel and imported goods such as Apple computers is spurring concern in Japan's bond market that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's success in fueling inflation will be short-lived.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 27, 2012
Best yen analysts join skepticism of Abe
Shinzo Abe's return to the post of prime minister has fueled speculation his stimulus policies will extend the yen's biggest drop since 2005. Domestic companies and the best currency forecasters aren't so sure.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 21, 2012
Yen traders say Shirakawa missed the price target boat
Bank of Japan Gov. Masaaki Shirakawa, who set the nation's first inflation goal six months ago to halt a decade-long struggle with deflation, has failed to produce the weaker currency craved by exporters.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 3, 2009
'Mrs. Watanabes' slam plan for margin-trading cap
A plan to increase restrictions on Japan's margin-trading market may drive individual investors away, paving the way for more volatile currency movements, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Longform

Capsule hotels were created as a way to deal with the amount of overwork employees tend to do in Japan. Can't commute home? Then spend the night in an tiny, affordable sleeping space.
Japan wakes up to the market for a proper sleep