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Toru Fujioka
For Toru Fujioka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 27, 2022
BOJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda backs intervention while stressing need for easing
The government's action last week came almost directly after the BOJ's ultralow rates stance fueled further yen weakening, triggering doubt over the authorities' unified stance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 21, 2022
BOJ’s Kuroda set to risk further yen weakening after Fed decision
A key focus of a BOJ meeting ending Thursday will be if it changes its forward guidance, as it's widely expected to end its COVID funding program.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 16, 2022
Japan’s contradictory stance leaves yen at risk of further slide
This week, as the finance minister was warning he would step into markets to shore up the yen if needed, the BOJ was boosting bond purchases to keep yields low.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 16, 2022
BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda seen sitting tight even after jumbo Fed hike
Most BOJ watchers are convinced Kuroda won't raise rates to cool the rapid weakening of the yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2022
BOJ could normalize policy in mid-2023, ex-board member says
Views on Japan's inflation dynamics are shifting among some experts after more than a decade of deflation and price weakness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 6, 2022
BOJ should look at exit steps while holding policy, former official says
'This isn't the time for a drastic rate hike, so there is a limit on what the BOJ can do now,” Yuri Okina has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Sep 2, 2022
Yen at ¥140 piles pressure on Japan’s unified policy front
As angst among households and businesses continues to rise over soaring energy and import costs, cracks may begin to emerge in the united front the government and BOJ have so far shown.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2022
Japan will monitor China, new economic security minister says
Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance toward Japan's powerful neighbor, took her post this month amid increasing government awareness of economic security.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2022
Fed chairman’s hawkish stance causes headaches for Kuroda as yen falls
The yen fell to a five-week low Monday morning, after Jerome Powell warned against prematurely loosening policy in his speech at the Jackson Hole retreat.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2022
Bank of Japan chief would hold easing policy even if inflation hits 3%, survey shows
Most analysts said that a further acceleration to 3%, the highest since 1991 excluding tax-hike years, wouldn't increase the likelihood of policy change before Kuroda's term ends in April.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 30, 2022
Bank of Japan's deputy chief expects stronger wage growth next year
The comment is likely to keep speculation smoldering of policy adjustments after Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda steps down.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 29, 2022
BOJ members warn of global slowdown and urge stimulus stay in place
Unlike the U.S. and Europe, Japan's economy remains smaller than its pre-COVID-19 level and the latest projections suggest it will remain so this year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 26, 2022
Japan’s deeper inflation trend shows price growth spreading
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly emphasized the need for sustainable inflation before he considers adjusting his easing stance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 19, 2022
Bank of Japan chief determined to maintain stimulus as world tightens
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda is in no mood to give up on stimulus and his ultraloose monetary policy, according to people familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 15, 2022
More BOJ watchers see Kuroda staying course with ultralow rates
Despite a further slide in the yen this week and central banks around the world continuing to surprise with outsized rate hikes, some see the BOJ cementing its outlier status even further.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jul 9, 2022
Legacy of Abenomics to live beyond its architect
The complicated fallout of Abe's audacious growth program, both good and bad, continues to ripple through markets and the economy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 7, 2022
Strong support validates Kishida's world-defying inflation policy ahead of vote
The prime minister has endorsed the Bank of Japan's unorthodox stance of keeping borrowing costs at rock-bottom levels even as inflation heats up.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 7, 2022
BOJ likely to consider revising inflation and growth forecasts, sources suggest
The new economic projections will be released together with the bank's policy decision at the end of the meeting.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 15, 2022
Weak yen and hawkish Fed put BOJ chief in tough spot
While the consensus view is that the central bank will stick with all its main policy settings this week, Kuroda risks accelerating a slide in the yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 13, 2022
Yen tumbles to lowest since 1998, sparking Kuroda warning
The yen has tumbled almost 15% this year, making it the worst-performing major currency.

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