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Noriyuki Suzuki
For Noriyuki Suzuki's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Tokyu Bus Corp. President Takashi Furukawa wants to set a precedent for fellow bus operators that are in desperate need of drivers, drawing on his experience working in Vietnam, where he once helped introduce Japanese know-how in running transportation services.
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Jan 20, 2024
Tokyo bus operator banks on foreign drivers as shortage looms
Tokyu Bus Corp. President Takashi Furukawa wants to set a precedent for fellow bus operators that are in desperate need of drivers.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a policy speech to the Lower House of parliament in Tokyo in January.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2023
Pivot to pre-COVID normalcy tests Japan's fiscal spending appetite
A projected expansion of nominal GDP beyond ¥600 trillion for the first time may bring about the BOJ's gradual shift in policy.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol (left) pose for a photo after attending a forum at Stanford University in California on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Nov 19, 2023
Japan faces 'friendshoring' dilemma in Asia amid China risks
This new paradigm is putting Japan's diplomacy — and its ultimate vision for its own engagement in the region — to the test.
Private-sector surveys point to severe labor shortages in Japan for decades to come, with one estimating a shortfall of over 11 million workers by 2040. The nation had around 67 million workers as of July.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Sep 16, 2023
Japan labor market set for change as huge worker shortage looms
Japan may be at an inflection point as the nation braces for a shortfall of millions of workers, the rise of generative AI and risks to economic security.
A government report has said Japan stands a better chance of finally breaking with the deflation that has "shackled" the nation for a quarter of a century.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 29, 2023
Japan has better chance of seeing end to deflation, government says
An end hasn't been declared because rising prices are largely due to higher import costs and there is uncertainty over the sustainability of wage growth.
People board a shinkansen at Tokyo Station on Friday
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 11, 2023
Holidaymakers to boost spending as Japan growth at tipping point
It is a mixed bag for Japan as everyday goods have become much pricier, but pent-up demand has aided private consumption.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Jul 29, 2023
Tricky road ahead after BOJ moves to ease yield curve control
Some economists viewed the BOJ's move to allow long-term yields to rise above its ceiling as an "effective scrapping" or "gutting" of its yield curve control program launched in 2016.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 7, 2023
Bank of Japan deputy chief doesn't anticipate rate hikes in near future
The deputy also said 'rapid and one-sided' yen weakening is not desirable and the BOJ will coordinate closely with the government, adding to recent warnings by Japanese authorities.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Jun 25, 2023
BOJ in spotlight as yen fall may prove a debilitating blow to Japan
Consumers are feeling the lagging effects of the yen's precipitous fall since last year, as companies continue to pass on higher import costs to consumers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Apr 29, 2023
BOJ review under Ueda may help end overreliance on monetary easing
At Ueda's first policy-setting meeting, the BOJ decided to conduct a broad review of monetary policy over the past quarter of a century to better prepare for future policy maneuvers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Apr 23, 2023
Japan eyes shift to 'quality' experiences as inbound tourism recovers
Inbound tourism has already become an integral part of Japan's economy prior to the imposition of COVID-19 restrictions and its revival will likely be a welcome boost.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 8, 2023
Japan logs record red ink in January due to energy imports and slower export growth
Growth in exports was far slower than that of imports, partly because Japanese firms curbed China-bound shipments due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Mar 4, 2023
BOJ chief nominee sticking to familiar playbook — at least for now
Carefully worded statements on monetary policy suggest Kazuo Ueda will prioritize communication with financial markets and make his thinking behind policy decisions clear.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Feb 12, 2023
Japanese consumers brace for higher prices for Valentine's Day chocolates
With Valentine's Day approaching, a piece of chocolate costs about 7% more than it would have a year earlier, according to a recent survey.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Feb 8, 2023
Japan's current account surplus hit eight-year low in '22 amid record decline
The surplus was weighed down by a record trade deficit, caused by a weakening yen as well as surging imports of higher-priced energy and other items, the Finance Ministry said.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 11, 2022
Kishida dismisses using government bonds to finance defense budget hike
The prime minister says government bonds are not an option to cover defense spending increases due to the financial difficulties they would place on future generations.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Nov 5, 2022
Japan's economy faces headwinds amid low growth and weak yen
Japan appears to be facing an extended period of low growth and a weak yen as the U.S. Federal Reserve continues its aggressive monetary tightening amid soaring inflation.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Oct 23, 2022
Latest currency intervention highlights Japanese officials' unease over weak yen
Still, the underlying driver of the yen's weakness is unlikely to change soon, as the Bank of Japan is a laggard in the global trend of monetary tightening.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Sep 26, 2022
Abenomics lives on after ex-prime minister's death, but economy still fragile
Even after stepping down as the longest-serving PM in 2020, Shinzo Abe remained an advocate of expansionary fiscal policy and the continuation of powerful monetary easing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Sep 9, 2022
As yen looks set to weaken, intervention seen as a drop in bucket
Intervention in foreign exchange markets will do little to reverse the trend of a strong dollar, unless the Bank of Japan changes its dovish stance.

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