Business Nov 25, 2020
BOJ’s local bank aid makes rates harder to cut, ex-official says
To gain eligibility for the interest payments, regional banks must make decisions on merging or show they have improved their profitability.
Toru Fujioka
For Toru Fujioka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Business / Economy Nov 19, 2020
Japan’s top union federation to demand wage raises despite pandemic
Rengo chief Rikio Kozu has indicated he’ll push for a 4% wage increase, including base pay.
Business / Economy Nov 12, 2020
Tokyo’s tiny ramen bars close up shop rather than raise prices
"A price increase was never an option because passing our burden onto customers would be totally unfair," said a worker at one restaurant that closed in August.
Business Oct 23, 2020
BOJ official says digital currency needs public support first
China’s plans to issue a digital yuan, while still not fleshed out, have heightened global interest in digital currencies among central banks and policymakers.
Business / Economy Oct 21, 2020
BOJ likely to reduce inflation forecasts as Go To campaign cuts prices
The travel discounts started in July, and have helped drive consumer inflation below zero as hotel prices dropped by more than 30% from a year ago.
Business / Financial Markets Oct 12, 2020
BOJ’s swelling share of Japan assets complicates future exit from stimulus
The central bank now owns 71% of exchange-traded funds, a fifth of commercial paper and 7% of corporate bonds, its assets equivalent to 137% of gross domestic product.
Business / Economy Sep 10, 2020
Bank of Japan coronavirus loans may ensure ‘zombie’ firms limp on
The total lent so far is already more than four times the amount deployed from January 2009 to support firms during the global financial crisis.
Business / Financial Markets Jun 12, 2020
Bank of Japan’s aid to lenders hasn't warmed them to negative rates
For the country’s commercial banks, the BOJ’s sub-zero rates strategy aimed at stimulating the economy and prices has eroded their profit margins.
Business May 11, 2020
BOJ gets first female executive director in 138-year history
Tokiko Shimizu’s appointment as one of only six BOJ executive directors is another step forward for gender equality at the central bank.
Business / Economy Mar 30, 2020
‘Jobs for life’ in South Korea and Japan set to cushion virus blow
A longtime thorn for businesses and productivity in Japan and South Korea is set to prove a bulwark for those economies as the coronavirus threatens millions of jobs around the world. Mass layoffs are frowned upon and labor laws make it hard for employers to ...