Business / Economy Sep 17, 2020
Bank of Japan takes less gloomy view but keeps things ultra-loose
The bank’s upgrade of its economic assessment was the first since the virus hit, reflecting a bottoming of Japan’s slump.
Business / Economy Sep 10, 2020
Bank of Japan coronavirus loans may ensure ‘zombie’ firms limp on
by Taiga Uranaka, Yuki Hagiwara and Toru Fujioka
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 Sep 2, 2020
‘Widow maker’ bets in play as Japan's superlong bond yields peak
by Chikafumi Hodo and Chikako Mogi
Waning demand from key buyers plus less central bank support could set the stage for bonds to extend losses.
Business / Economy | FOCUS Aug 29, 2020
Abenomics here to stay despite Japan PM's looming departure
by Kazuaki Nagata
Policy is crucial for the next leader to send messages of continuity to avoid surprising financial markets, but the pandemic will keep the government on the defensive.
Business / Economy Aug 21, 2020
Inflation remains at zero even as Japan's economy starts to reopen
Consumer demand has collapsed amid resurgent infections, which will in turn hit profits, jobs and business investment, analysts say.
Business / Financial Markets Aug 18, 2020
Bank of Japan refuses trader requests to work from home
by Takashi Nakamichi and Takako Taniguchi
The central bank doesn’t allow home computers to connect to its network for conducting asset purchases, raising concerns at financial firms as virus cases in Tokyo surge.
Business / Economy Aug 18, 2020
Japanese manufacturers' gloom eases slightly but pandemic woes remain
A poll that tracks the Bank of Japan's closely watched quarterly survey pointed to a modest recovery, with manufacturers' morale seen as somewhat less negative.
Business / Economy Aug 11, 2020
Japan banks kept lending at record pace in July as pandemic pain persists
The figures mark the fastest pace of growth since comparable data became available in 2001.
Business / Financial Markets Jul 31, 2020
Bank of Japan was fearful of eurozone crisis spillover, minutes show
Concerned about global stock market drops, the policymakers decided at the meeting to join dollar liquidity swap arrangements among central banks in the West.
Business / Corporate Jul 28, 2020
Japan’s banks may stave off hit from bad loans in first-quarter results
Analysts predict expenses booked in the April-to-June quarter were relatively low, because companies have tapped credit lines and central bank assistance.
Business / Economy Jul 27, 2020
BOJ policymakers voice concerns over possibility of slow recovery
The country's economy is expected to shrink 4.7 percent in fiscal 2020 but grow 3.3 percent in fiscal 2021.
Business / Economy Jul 23, 2020
BOJ taps big data for tips on guiding economy through pandemic pain
by Leika Kihara
The conservative central bank now has a 180-member statistics team trolling through new types of data to gain new insights into the virus-hindered economy.