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Masahiro Hidaka
For Masahiro Hidaka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
The Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance headquarters in Tokyo. The insurer isn't interested in buying Japan’s superlong sovereign bonds until yields start rising.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jan 16, 2024
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance to avoid Japan sovereign bonds for now
Japanese life insurers are the main buyer of bonds due in more than 10 years and typically increase purchases toward the end of the fiscal year.
A damaged vehicle under a collapsed house following an earthquake in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Tuesday. Speculation that the Bank of Japan might shift its policy this month is receding, as the central bank has to assess the adverse impact from the Noto Peninsula disaster on the economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 5, 2024
Yen falls as earthquake raises bar for BOJ to end negative rates
While speculation about a January tweak is receding, many still expect an end to negative rates in April, or later in 2024.
Traders are betting that the Bank of Japan will almost certainly end its negative interest rate policy by early next year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 24, 2023
Rising bets on BOJ policy move shift focus to ‘neutral’ rate
This theoretical rate that neither stimulates nor restricts the economy is likely somewhere in a wide range of 0.5% to 2%, according to analysts.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The central bank announced an emergency bond-buying operation on Wednesday after the 10-year Japanese government bond yield hit a new decade high.
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2023
Bank of Japan steps into debt market to slow rising bond yields
The operation had no immediate impact on the benchmark 10-year yield, which earlier in the day touched 0.815%, a fresh decade high.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 18, 2023
Japan insurer to sell all currency-hedged foreign debt as costs rise
The strategy, among the first to be disclosed by Japanese life insurers this fiscal year, may foreshadow a renewed wave of selling by some of the biggest investors in global bond markets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Dec 22, 2022
Nippon Life may buy more domestic bonds after BOJ shift raises yields
Benchmark 10-year sovereign yields have almost doubled to 0.48% after policymakers raised the cap to 0.50% on Tuesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
May 20, 2021
Japan’s 2025 budget goal is near impossible, debt panel member says
Measures such as spending cuts or tax increases to meet the goal would shave 1% off the economy each year and are therefore unlikely, says Ayako Fujita.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 28, 2019
Negative yields will punish insurer profits, ex-Bank of Japan official says
Miyako Suda, who opposed the Bank of Japan's ultraloose monetary policy as a member of its Policy Board, has a warning for the nation's life insurers as bond yields sink ever lower.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 6, 2019
Fighting against Bank of Japan may not be crazy after all
Going against a central bank is an investment strategy fraught with peril, but some bond market analysts think the Bank of Japan will fail to steepen the yield curve.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 17, 2019
Yen likely to hit 80 to the dollar in next Japan recession, former BOJ official says
The yen is likely to reach its strongest level against the dollar in more than six years if Japan enters a recession, which could come as early as the fall of this year, a former central bank official has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 19, 2018
Bank of Japan's ¥400 trillion cash injection changes little for ordinary people
It's been the most radical cash injection in history — nearly ¥400 trillion pumped into Japan's economy over more than five years to slay deflation and kick growth into higher gear.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 26, 2018
Abe rival Seiko Noda slams BOJ's 'desperate' push for 2% inflation
The Bank of Japan should drop its 2 percent inflation target and should not further expand its program of massive monetary easing, Internal Affairs Minister Seiko Noda, a long-shot to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said in an interview.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 19, 2018
Despite jumpy market, Bank of Japan watchers don't expect a policy change anytime soon
Economists who follow the Bank of Japan aren't buying the idea that the central bank is nearing the point where it will begin to normalize its ultraloose monetary policy.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 10, 2018
Fukushima's premium sake wins worldwide acclaim, as brewers eye global markets in prefecture's push for recovery
In an area of Japan still decimated by nuclear disaster, sake is offering cause for hope.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 26, 2017
Osaka's ¥1 sales energize shoppers but not good for BOJ's inflation quest
Osaka is famed for it's cheap prices, with ¥1 supermarket sales, ¥10 drinks and discount train tickets sold right next to the station. That attracts thrifty consumers and tourists, but may be undercutting the central bank's efforts to generate sustained price rises.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2017
Osaka, Japan's gritty second city, suddenly a destination amid Asian tourist boom
Amid the gloom and struggle that Osaka has gone through in recent years, a tourism boom has been an unexpected boon for Japan's gritty second city.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 17, 2017
Abe win may boost chances of another term for Bank of Japan chief
If Shinzo Abe wins Sunday's Lower House election, it will boost the chances that Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda will serve a second term, according to a former economy minister.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 11, 2017
Kuroda's reappointment as Bank of Japan chief likely to hinge on snap poll outcome
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision to call a snap election for Oct. 22 has clouded the outlook for Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda and one of the world's most radical monetary policy regimes.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 4, 2017
Cracks appearing in BOJ's glass ceiling as more women take lead roles at Japan's central bank
Some long-closed doors are opening at the Bank of Japan as it seeks to hire and promote more women in career-track positions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 28, 2017
Japan's social security burden frustrates BOJ's inflation, spending efforts
Japanese companies are paying more for employees these days. Problem is, the money is going toward social security payroll taxes instead of wages, adding to the frustrations of Bank of Japan policymakers seeking higher wages and stronger inflation.

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A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world