Deflation generation: Japan’s budget-minded consumers keep price hikes in check
Decades of stagnant wages and low prices have ingrained a “deflationary mindset” into shoppers who are hesitant to spend more, thwarting policymakers’ efforts to fan inflation.
The central bank is buffeted by the same factors as its global peers — and homegrown challenges that are tougher to tackle.
The BOJ is too focused on 2% inflation target
Defining the Heisei Era: Japan experiences a hangover
The Japan Times presents the second installment of a monthly 12-part series that looks back at the leading issues of the past three decades.
Convenience-store squeeze shows deflationary dilemma facing Bank of Japan
Takanori Sakai works the graveyard shift four nights a week at the FamilyMart store he owns in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, because he can't afford the higher pay employees demand these days. "More and more stores can't secure a profit," the 57-year-old said. Problem is, with ...
Moment of truth for the Bank of Japan
The BOJ continues to provide significant stimulus to the economy, but with inflation still well below target the central bank finds itself between a rock and a hard place.
Japan has entered a new phase in its fight against deflation, but stronger wage growth and improved productivity are needed if the economy is to turn the corner, the Cabinet Office said in a report released Thursday. Describing wage growth as "modest" for most workers, ...
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. "If it's not ...
Japan's struggles are hardly unique
Victory in Japan's battle with too-low inflation looks as elusive as ever.
Frugal households offer no respite for BOJ, retailers
Naruhito Nogami, a 37-year-old systems engineer in Tokyo, drives to discount stores on weekends to buy cheap groceries in bulk, even though he earns enough to make ends meet and the prospects for Japan's economic recovery are brighter. "I do have money, but I'm frugal ...
'Premium Friday' drive kicks off to energize weary workers, feeble economy
The government-backed "Premium Friday" campaign kicked off on Friday with around 130 participating firms across the country encouraging employees to leave work early on the last Friday of each month. The government launched the initiative to boost weak consumer spending as it struggles to halt ...
Economic tools lose their edge
The maturing of the market economy has eliminated the ability to control the economy by way of fiscal and monetary policies.
