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July 04, 2025
 

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FINANCE MINISTRY

BUSINESS
May 23, 2016
Japan pays least since 2005 for LNG amid price slump
Japan, the world's biggest buyer of LNG, paid the lowest price in about 11 years for the fuel last month amid a global oversupply.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 1, 2016
Ministry of Finance the loser in battle for dominance under Abe
The ministry awakens to a new reality after three years of government under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 29, 2016
Fashion maven asked to tell women about national debt
As the editor of a string of successful fashion titles, Hiromi Sogo has spent three decades telling Japanese women what to wear. Her new task is to try to interest them in a drier topic: fiscal policy.
BUSINESS / Markets
Feb 25, 2016
Japan got paid $464 million to borrow thanks to negative yields
The government has been paid at least ¥52 billion to borrow money since the yield on its debt first fell below zero at auction in October 2014.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 18, 2016
Exports suffer greatest fall in six years on China woes
Exports fall for a fourth consecutive month and the most since late 2009, underscoring continued weakness in the Japanese economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Dec 29, 2015
Yen guru Gyohten says Abe must stimulate economy, as BOJ has done its part
Toyoo Gyohten, a former currency policy chief at the Finance Ministry, says 2016 will be the year for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take up the mantle of stimulus from the Bank of Japan, which has done all it can to revive the economy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 17, 2015
Aso says BOJ unlikely to expand easing for now
The central bank is unlikely to expand its unprecedented economic stimulus for now, Finance Minister Taro Aso said, citing a surplus of money in the economy and weak domestic demand.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy / YEN FOR LIVING
Sep 26, 2015
Inevitable looming consumption tax hike keeps the LDP awake at night
The LDP is in a tough spot between an public wary of consumption tax hikes and a Finance Ministry unwilling to budge on the promised move to a 10-percent levy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 9, 2015
Plan to use My Number for tax rebates is flawed, some experts say
The system is set to streamline tax collection and social welfare benefits, but critics warn of privacy issues by using it to also provide sales tax rebates.
BUSINESS
Jun 15, 2015
Government puts Japan Tobacco sell-off on back burner without immediate need for cash
The central government has decided to push back the sale of its remaining stake in Japan Tobacco Inc., Asia's largest listed cigarette-maker, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 2, 2015
Some experts doubt shift to generic drugs is best prescription for health care system
In a desperate bid to stem the rise in health care costs, the government is reining in one of its biggest medical outlays: prescription drugs.
COMMUNITY / Issues / LAW OF THE LAND
Apr 12, 2015
Bridging corruption and legitimacy: amakudari
Amakudari reaches into almost every aspect of civil and economic life, quietly taking its cut in the form of higher prices, obscure but lucrative monopolies and seemingly bizarre regulations.
COMMENTARY / Japan / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Jan 21, 2015
Abe targets Finance Ministry
Angered by its resistance to some of his policy measures, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears bent on curbing the power of the Finance Ministry.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 20, 2014
A better way to spend yen on schools
Japan's Finance Ministry wants to increase the number of students in each class to save ¥8.6 billion in personnel costs. This will result in 3,325 schools being shuttered and up to 4,000 teachers cashiered. A good idea perhaps, but why not prioritize spending on students who need the most attention?
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 26, 2014
'Mr. Yen' sees drop in exchange rate he forecast coming to an end
The 14 percent plunge in the yen since mid-year has about run its course, according to the former Finance Ministry official known as "Mr. Yen."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / YEN FOR LIVING
Nov 17, 2014
Are Japan's public school teachers paid too much?
Japanese teachers make more money than the world average, but they also work many more hours.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World / SENTAKU MAGAZINE
Sep 14, 2014
Next consumption tax raise painting Abe into a corner
Ever since the Cabinet Office released preliminary figures last month that showed an annualized 6.8 percent decline in first-quarter GDP, a war of nerves has flared up between the prime minister's office and the Finance Ministry. The next consumption tax hike could be delayed.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 18, 2014
New 'Bernanke shock' in cards for emerging markets: ex-IMF exec Kato
Emerging markets are at risk of revisiting last year's "Bernanke shock" should the Federal Reserve signal an end to near-zero interest rates earlier than investors anticipate, according to Takatoshi Kato, once a deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund.
BUSINESS
May 1, 2014
Corporate tax rate to be reduced by April '15, Nishimura says
Tokyo will start making significant cuts to the corporate tax rate by April 2015 in line with its aim of making the economy more competitive and of spurring a recovery driven by spending and massive monetary stimulus, deputy economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said.
EDITORIALS
Mar 13, 2014
Regulating bitcoins
Japan will have to cooperate with other countries to prevent the use of bitcoin for illegal purposes. Some people, though, look forward to the convenience of bitcoin.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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