Business / Economy Jan 14, 2021

Buddhist monks are snapping up ESG bonds in Japan

Japanese religious organizations are also under pressure to earn more from investing.

National Jan 14, 2021

Shadow hangs over Olympics once more with Japan virus surge

Japan is one of several countries where the virus has made a comeback in winter months with Tokyo finding a record 2,447 cases on Jan. 7.

Business / Corporate Dec 2, 2020

A 1% bond in Japan is world’s lowest-coupon junk note in 2020

Unprecedented stimulus from central banks amid the pandemic has dragged down rates, and left investors clamoring for debt that may help increase returns.

Financial Markets Nov 26, 2020

Brave new world of ESG bonds can sometimes leave investors cold

A new type of bond that penalizes issuers for failing to meet social and environmental goals is raising concern that buying the debt may not be all that ethical.

Business / Corporate Oct 27, 2020

Japan set for blockbuster bonds after NTT revives M&A push

For investors, giant bond sales are attractive because issuers usually need to pay a premium to compensate for the added risk of large repayments.

National / Social Issues Oct 9, 2020

Suicide spike in Japan shows mental health toll of COVID-19

The numbers hint at what may be going on around the world as countries grapple with the fallout from mass unemployment and social isolation.

Business Jun 25, 2020

Japanese investors favoring firms that let people work from home

Being good employers and business partners may ultimately pay off with sustainable returns in the long term, the investors believe.

Business / Economy May 29, 2020

Japan bankruptcies seen rising to seven-year high amid pandemic

A global economic slowdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is causing companies to go out of business around the world.

Business / Corporate Feb 19, 2020

Shift to cleaner power sparks landmark green bond sale in Japan

In the gusty northeast, a power company is looking to fund offshore wind projects with a landmark sale of green bonds that seeks to muscle in on the growing pool of money available for environmentally friendly investments. Tohoku Electric Power Co. plans to price what ...

Business / Corporate Jan 27, 2020

A new type of bond could help Japan's utilities cut emissions

Japanese power producers have been emitting more carbon dioxide since the 2011 nuclear disaster led to an increased reliance on fossil fuels, but a new kind of bond could help them reverse that trend. So-called transition bonds can pay for not-so-green companies to move toward ...