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Leika Kihara
For Leika Kihara's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Jul 4, 2023
Tokyo in constant dialogue with U.S. and others on currencies, finance minister says
The remarks likely signal Tokyo's desire to keep the market on guard about possible currency intervention to prop up the yen, which has been hovering near ¥145 to the dollar.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 3, 2023
Improving Japan business mood signals steady economic recovery
Companies expect to increase capital expenditure and project inflation to stay above the Bank of Japan's 2% target five years ahead, the quarterly tankan showed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 31, 2023
BOJ's Ueda says era of low global interest rates may be over
Some academics say global inflationary pressure may eventually subside, but others warn the current period of high inflation will change people's view on prices, Ueda added.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 26, 2023
Inflation in Tokyo slows in May, but key gauge hits four-decade high
The data showed firms continued to pass on rising costs to households in a sign inflationary pressure could last longer than the BOJ projects.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 15, 2023
Japan's top economic officials debate whether sustained exit from deflation is near
With inflation accelerating globally and wage growth picking up in Japan, discussions also touched on the desirable timing to end the Bank of Japan's ultraloose monetary policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 9, 2023
Japan says G7 will discuss strengthening global banking system
The recent collapse of First Republic Bank has exacerbated investor worries about the U.S. banking sector, and raised calls for better global oversight.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 8, 2023
BOJ debated risk of inflation overshoot in March, minutes show
Some policy board members said they saw some 'positive signs' emerging in Japan that suggested the economy was making progress toward achieving the BOJ's 2% inflation target.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 2, 2023
Japan and South Korea hold first finance leaders' meeting in seven years
The two countries agreed to resume regular finance dialogue 'at an appropriate timing,' Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters after the meeting.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 24, 2023
BOJ chief wants 'quite strong' inflation before tweaking yield control policy
Sources have said the BOJ is likely to maintain its ultraeasy monetary policy at the first rate review to be chaired by Kazuo Ueda, who assumed the post in April.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 21, 2023
Japan's broadening inflationary pressures test BOJ's dovish stance
Consumer inflation held steady above the central bank's target in March and an index excluding fuel costs rose at the fastest annual pace in four decades.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Apr 17, 2023
New BOJ head's message to world: We're staying the course — for now
Since taking the helm a week ago, Ueda has dropped some hints the massive stimulus of his dovish predecessor Haruhiko Kuroda will eventually be phased out.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 13, 2023
New BOJ chief vows to keep stimulus and shuns premature tightening
While other countries are experiencing elevated inflation, the situation is 'quite different' in Japan, Kazuo Ueda said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 12, 2023
IMF says more flexible BOJ yield control can prevent market whiplash
Changes to the yield control policy may affect financial markets through exchange rates, term premiums on sovereign bonds and global risk premiums, the IMF said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 7, 2023
Haruhiko Kuroda less dovish as he departs BOJ after decade of massive stimulus
The BOJ's failure to change public expectations raises a lot of questions about the effectiveness of unconventional monetary policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2023
Inflation in Tokyo cools for second month but remains above BOJ target
Core consumer prices in Tokyo, a leading indicator of nationwide trends, rose 3.2% in March from a year earlier, compared with 3.3% in February and a nearly 42-year high of 4.3% in January.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 29, 2023
BOJ's new deputy chief flags chance of yield control policy change
In his first public appearance since assuming the post earlier this month, Shinichi Uchida said the BOJ may consider various measures should inflation sustainably hit its 2% target.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 27, 2023
Prices of Japan's business services perk up near BOJ's inflation target
The second consecutive monthly services acceleration may keep alive market expectations the Bank of Japan will eventually whittle down its massive stimulus.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 20, 2023
BOJ debated side effects of easy policy at March meeting
While global banking woes have taken some pressure off long-term interest rates, the debate underscores the challenge incoming BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda faces in keeping borrowing costs low.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2023
BOJ debated feasibility of tweaking yield control in January, minutes show
The board also agreed inflation and wages could overshoot expectations, suggesting a phase-out of its massive stimulus remains on the cards when Kazuo Ueda takes over as governor.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 15, 2023
Why Japan's spring wage talks are a big deal this year
Every March, management of major Japanese firms meet with unions for wage talks across industries that set the tone for employees' pay in the new fiscal year.

Longform

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