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Mariko Ishikawa
For Mariko Ishikawa's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 26, 2014
'Mr. Yen' sees drop in exchange rate he forecast coming to an end
The 14 percent plunge in the yen since mid-year has about run its course, according to the former Finance Ministry official known as "Mr. Yen."
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 8, 2014
Abe recasting Cabinet cuts risk to six-year low
The Cabinet overhaul has revived failing public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's economic policies and invigorated markets that have shown more confidence in him than his predecessors.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 13, 2014
Homebuyers in Japan seen at risk on floating-rate loan rush
Homebuyers are piling into floating-rate mortgages, stirring debate over whether they are too complacent as Bank of Japan stimulus revives inflation.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 9, 2014
ECB's negative interest rates to hasten bund sales by undercutting BOJ
The European Central Bank's undercutting of the Bank of Japan with negative interest rates looks set to accelerate Japanese sales of German bunds, while falling short of the fund flows needed to weaken the yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 22, 2014
Failure to up sales tax risks crash of JGBs: Sakakibara
The government should prioritize expanding its recent sales tax increase or risk an eventual collapse of sovereign bonds, former Finance Ministry official Eisuke Sakakibara said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Mar 3, 2014
Yen's fading clout threat to BOJ inflation goal
The rising cost of overseas travel and imported goods such as Apple computers is spurring concern in Japan's bond market that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's success in fueling inflation will be short-lived.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 30, 2013
Kuroda seen limiting '14 losses as JGB run ends
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has scope to increase unprecedented stimulus, limiting losses on Japanese government bonds in 2014 as global sovereigns slump, economists predict.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2012
Unswayed by disaster, Iwaki spa hulas anew
A Hawaiian theme park that has propped up the economy of a rural town in Fukushima Prefecture for 45 years was forced to shut down after the March 11 disasters, but a little less than a year later the hula girls have returned.

Longform

High-end tourism is becoming more about the kinds of experiences that Japan's lesser-known places can provide.
Can Japan lure the jet-set class off the beaten path?