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July 04, 2025
 

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Dhara Ranasinghe
The U.S. dollar was back at multiyear lows against a basket of other major currencies on Thursday, erasing a brief respite provided by safe-haven flows related to Middle East tensions earlier in the week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 27, 2025
No love for the dollar as markets fret about Fed independence
Respect for independent institutions such as central banks has long been viewed as a key attraction of major economies, helping anchor economic stability.
Norway's central bank in Oslo. The krone slid roughly 1% against the dollar and the euro after a rate cut.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Jun 20, 2025
Oil, war and tariffs tear up global markets' central bank roadmap
Monetary policy uncertainty is one more headwind for markets to navigate against a backdrop of geopolitical and trade risks.
Tariffs and trade uncertainty are causing the U.S. economy to lose steam, and companies more vulnerable to slower growth are starting to show the cracks.
BUSINESS / Markets
Mar 6, 2025
Investors spy the dawn of a tectonic shift away from U.S. markets
For most of the last three years, investors had bet on "U.S. exceptionalism," with the country ahead of others in economic growth, stock prices and AI.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Feb 3, 2023
Markets to central bankers: We don't believe you
Investors said that whatever central banks pledged now mattered less for markets already driven by a belief that inflation has peaked.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jul 14, 2022
The euro is at parity with the dollar. Its fate is now with energy markets.
The single currency has teetered on the brink of parity versus the greenback for days, finally breaching that level on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Mar 2, 2022
Ukraine war unlikely to deter Fed and central bank peers from March rate hikes
Money markets suggest central banks will press on with raising interest rates, even as a war on Europe's eastern flank complicates the picture for inflation and economic growth.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Sep 28, 2021
Left or right, German election leaves investors braced for more spending
Prospects for increased German spending come as European Union budget rules are under review.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Sep 21, 2021
Higher taxes are coming. For markets, that could be a good thing.
Global indebtedness sits at nearly $300 trillion, with $4.8 trillion added in the second quarter of 2021 alone.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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