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Yoshiaki Nohara
For Yoshiaki Nohara's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan’s economy has expanded at a much faster pace than forecast, despite weak domestic consumption.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2023
Japan’s GDP grows at 6% on strong exports as consumption falters
Capital spending by businesses was flat, versus forecasts of a 0.4% increase, while private consumption unexpectedly declined by 0.5%.
Nominal cash earnings for workers in June rose 2.3% from the previous year, decelerating from a revised 2.9% clip in the previous month.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2023
Wage growth slowed in June, boosting case for BOJ to hold firm
The unexpected slowdown suggests the labor market may be losing some steam, and clouds prospects for the Bank of Japan’s sustainable inflation goal.
Akira Amari, Japan's chip czar, has said that funding around one-third of the cost of a chip plant is the norm, and the 50% funding for Japan's first TSMC chip plant was unusually high.
BUSINESS
Aug 3, 2023
Chip minister hints Japan to fund one-third of second TSMC plant
The subsidies will be part of Japan’s efforts to revive its domestic chipmaking industry, a sector viewed as crucial for growth and economic security.
Japan's industrial production in June climbed 2% from the previous month, led by brisk output of new automobiles amid strong demand at home and abroad.
BUSINESS
Jul 31, 2023
Japan’s production rebounds, signaling continued modest recovery
Factory output rose 2% from the previous month, rebounding from the previous month and led by increases in cars and electronic devices.
Japan's consumer prices rose 3.3% year-on-year in June, with the pace of inflation accelerating from the 3.2% recorded in May.
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2023
Japan's price growth accelerates ahead of BOJ inflation update
Prices excluding those for fresh food gained 3.3% from a year ago, accelerating a little from the rise in May as energy prices were less of a drag on inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 21, 2023
Japan's price growth accelerates ahead of BOJ inflation update
Prices excluding those for fresh food gained 3.3% from a year ago, accelerating a little from the rise in May as energy prices were less of a drag on inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 30, 2023
Tokyo inflation speeds up again as Japan production sputters
Consumer prices excluding fresh food increased 3.2% in the capital from a year earlier, rising at a slightly faster pace than last month’s revised figures.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 29, 2023
Japan retail sales rebound, adding to signs of recovery
Spending rose 1.3% from April, according to the economy ministry on Thursday, beating economists expectations of a 0.8% increase.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 27, 2023
Japan reinstates South Korea as a preferred trading partner
The return to Japan’s so-called white list of trading partners will smooth out export procedures to South Korea and comes about three months after Seoul made a similar move.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 15, 2023
Japan’s exports grow at weakest pace since 2021 as demand slows
Declines in exports of mineral fuel, chip making machinery and semiconductor parts dragged on shipments abroad.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 8, 2023
Japan’s economy grows faster than expected amid strong investment
GDP grew at an annualized 2.7% in the January-March quarter from the previous three months, revised figures showed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 6, 2023
Japan renews chip plan and confirms sales goal of ¥15 trillion
The revised strategy aims to bolster efforts to develop and produce cutting-edge semiconductors critical for economic security measures and advanced technology like generative AI.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 1, 2023
Japan considers official security clearance system to ease trade and cooperation
Without such a law in place, Japanese firms risk missing out on highly sensitive contracts including those with overseas allies in areas like cutting-edge chip technology and cybersecurity.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 17, 2023
Japan’s better-than-expected growth keeps early poll on table
The stronger-than-forecast reading may keep speculation simmering of a possible early election and changes to central bank policy.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2023
IMF says BOJ should avoid hasty exit and provide rate guidance
Any indication of a shift in the 'yield curve control' program could trigger a massive bond selloff, leaving some economists predicting that an end to YCC could come very abruptly.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 24, 2023
Japan inflation slows but underlying price strength remains
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.1% in February from a year ago, decelerating by more than a percentage point from the previous month on cheaper energy costs.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 22, 2023
Japan to spend $15 billion on inflation aid ahead of local polls
The measures include handouts for low-income households and their children, and support for households that use liquefied petroleum gas, according to documents from the Cabinet Office.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 16, 2023
Japan's trade deficit narrows sharply from record as imports slow
The trade gap shrank to ¥897.7 billion ($6.8 billion) from ¥3.5 trillion in January, the Finance Ministry reported Thursday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 8, 2023
Wage hikes at Japan’s small firms closely watched for BOJ clues
It’s the salary decisions at smaller companies without unions that will indicate how widespread wage gains really are.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 27, 2023
G20 nations understand BOJ’s ongoing easing measures, Kuroda says
Japan’s price growth, currently above the BOJ’s 2% target, is mainly driven by imports and is expected to fall below the target in the fiscal year starting in April, Kuroda said on Saturday.

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