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Francis Tang
The Nikkei 225 stock average broke 52,000 just days after breaking 51,000.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 31, 2025
Nikkei 225 breaks 52,000 as records continue to topple
The surprise rally remains strong despite significant economic uncertainty.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 29, 2025
U.S. treasury chief Bessent signals support for Bank of Japan independence
The U.S. treasury secretary’s comments come as Abenomics is back in fashion with Japan’s leaders.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's trade minister, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick met on Sunday and Monday for lunch.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 29, 2025
No projects finalized under Japan's $550 billion investment pledge
Fact sheets issued during the recent Japan-U.S. summit offered little insight into any progress made.
An electronic quotation board in Tokyo shows the Nikkei 225 stock average topping 51,000 on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 29, 2025
Nikkei 225 breaks 51,000 for the first time ever
The stock index achieved the 50,000 mark just two days ago.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 28, 2025
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
The meeting was a crucial test of Takaichi’s diplomatic chops as she seeks to elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance while staving off pressure from the U.S. on defense spending.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama briefs reporters after her first in-person meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday night.
BUSINESS
Oct 27, 2025
U.S. and Japan finance chiefs hold first meet as Nikkei passes 50,000 mark
Bessent also exchanged views with Katayama on the $550 billion investment Japan pledged to the U.S.
An electronic signboard in Tokyo shows the benchmark Nikkei 225 index above 50,000.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 27, 2025
Nikkei 225 breaks 50,000 for first time ever on trade and rate optimism
The rally comes after China and the United States reached a framework trade agreement.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa visits the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture on Saturday.
JAPAN
Oct 26, 2025
Akazawa implores Tepco to pursue 'coexistence' with Fukushima community
Tepco announced in July that the full-scale removal of nuclear fuel debris will not start before fiscal year 2037.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and trade minister Ryosei Akazawa at Sensoji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district on Sunday
BUSINESS
Oct 26, 2025
Akazawa and Lutnick reunite to discuss trade deal ahead of Trump visit
Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visited Tokyo’s landmark Sensoji Temple before heading to Tokyo Skytree for a working lunch on Sunday.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama is scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 24, 2025
Katayama talks taxes and debt without saying too much
In comments Friday, Japan's new finance minister steered clear of controversy and commitments.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa will help maintain a close connection with the United States.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 22, 2025
Takaichi's economic picks reflect balancing act with party and U.S. in mind
Differences on policy have been deemphasized for the time being.
Nikkei 225 stock index breaks record and nears the 50,000 mark on Tuesday just ahead of the vote on the next prime minister.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 21, 2025
Nikkei 225 retreats as Takaichi becomes prime minister
Tokyo stocks hit a record earlier in the day only to give up most of the gains.
Pedestrians walk past an electronic quotation board displaying numbers of the Nikkei 225 stock index outside a brokerage in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 20, 2025
Nikkei 225 breaks 49,000 and hits record as political stability returns
The benchmark index rose more than 3% in strong trade throughout the day.
Steel products are the target of two anti-dumping probes Japan has begun so far this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 15, 2025
Japan turns to anti-dumping measures as international trade gets complicated
An uptick in number of probes this year indicates an evolving strategy.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announces his intention to resign on Sept. 7.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 15, 2025
Ishiba to leave office with a mixed record on the economy
The outgoing prime minister achieved a few successes and left some important business unfinished.
The 'Takaichi trade' is in doubt and Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi faces challenges from opposition parties.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 14, 2025
China-U.S. trade war and political turmoil in Japan weigh on Tokyo stocks
The Nikkei 225 fell as much as 1,500 points, and closed the day down 2.58%, at 46,847.32.
A Ford F-150 pickup truck on the assembly line at a factory in Dearborn, Michigan. The Japanese government might be considering the purchase of some of the pickup trucks to meet its obligations as part of a trade deal with the United States.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 10, 2025
Ford F-150 might be imported by the Japanese government: report
The pickup trucks would be used by local transport ministry offices for construction and road patrols.
Tokyo stocks have been rallying in recent months even as uncertainties build locally and globally.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 9, 2025
Buzz builds for a 50,000 Nikkei 225 as index breaks yet another record
Benchmark has hit nine all-time highs in about six weeks.
Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has said that the government bears responsibility for both fiscal and monetary policy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 9, 2025
BOJ meddling by Takaichi seen as unwise and ineffective
It's her versus the markets and inflation-weary Japanese households.
Tokyo stocks staged a powerful rally on Monday. On Tuesday, they rallied again, then retreated.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 7, 2025
‘Takaichi trade’ stalls as political reality calls for wait-and-see approach
Tokyo stocks zoomed to a new record and then quickly retreated.

Longform

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