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September 01, 2025
 

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INFLATION

A Shein pop-up store in New York. Many goods imported from China now face a 145% tariff.
BUSINESS
May 3, 2025
Young Americans sour on Trump’s China tariffs despite election-year bump
For Republicans, the trade war is poised to reverse gains with a demographic that could be key to maintaining control of Congress.
Travelers in front of a flight information panel in a departure hall at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on April 26
BUSINESS
May 3, 2025
Inflation and high hotel prices curtail Golden Week travels
This year consumers in the world's fourth-largest economy are feeling the pain of rising prices for everything from cabbage and rice to electricity bills.
Although it has been more than a month since the government began releasing its stockpiled rice, retail prices have remained high due to sluggish distribution.
JAPAN
May 1, 2025
Only 1.4% of government-stockpiled rice is reaching retailers in Japan
Wholesalers have not been able to handle the sudden increase in distribution volume.
The Bank of Japan has been signaling caution in the face of uncertainty.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 1, 2025
Bank of Japan holds rates as expected but surprises with growth forecast cut
The policy board made no adjustment to the short-term policy rate, currently 0.5%, at a two-day meeting that concluded Thursday.
The prices of 478 products, including House Foods' curry mixes, will be raised in May.
BUSINESS
Apr 30, 2025
Price hikes set for 478 food products in May
The monthly number of food products with higher prices will rise 1.9% from a year earlier, the fifth consecutive monthly increase.
It has been over a month since the government began releasing its stockpiled rice, but retail prices have remained high.
JAPAN
Apr 30, 2025
Government-stockpiled rice sold ¥420 cheaper in third auction
Although it has been more than a month since the government began releasing its stockpiled rice, retail prices have remained high.
Sunset at Dudley Page Reserve, in Dover Heights, Sydney, on April 21
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 29, 2025
Australia’s economic ‘miracle’ is ending no matter who wins vote
Polls suggest the May 3 election will be tight, with many pundits predicting the winner will lead a minority government.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda. The BOJ is getting into a tough spot between high inflation and a likely economic slowdown.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 28, 2025
BOJ to hit pause on rate-hike path as economic risks mount
Gov. Kazuo Ueda’s board is poised to keep the benchmark rate at 0.5% at the conclusion of the two-day gathering on Thursday, according to all 54 economists surveyed.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at Rengo's May Day event alongside the union's chief, Tomoko Yoshino, on Saturday in Tokyo.
BUSINESS
Apr 26, 2025
Ishiba vows wage hikes that keep up with inflation at May Day event
Ishiba's participation marks the third year in a row for a Japanese prime minister to attend Rengo's May Day event.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food in Tokyo gained 3.4% in April from a year earlier, as a mixture of impacts from last year’s school fee cuts and higher food and energy costs accelerated inflation, according to the internal affairs ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 25, 2025
Tokyo prices rise most in two years, backing central bank's hike path
Consumer prices excluding fresh food gained 3.4% in April from a year earlier. Tokyo's figures are a leading indicator for national price gains.
Fiscal 2024 supermarket sales in value terms grew on higher prices including for food, especially rice and vegetables, but sales in volume terms continued to decline as consumers remained reluctant to spend.
BUSINESS
Apr 24, 2025
Japanese supermarket sales up for fifth straight year in fiscal 2024
Sales in value terms grew on higher prices including for food, especially rice and vegetables, but sales in volume terms continued to decline.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo on April 17
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 23, 2025
Opposition slams Ishiba's gas price cut while calling to scrap provisional tax
Ishiba's decision would lower gas prices by ¥10 per liter starting May 22, but nixing the provisional gas tax would lower prices by ¥25.
A restaurant owner pours California-grown Calrose rice into a rice cooker at his restaurant in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 23, 2025
Japan weighs using U.S. rice imports as tariff negotiation tool with Trump
The government hopes an import quota will give them more cards to play in tariff negotiations with the U.S.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks in parliament on Monday
JAPAN
Apr 23, 2025
Ishiba to launch program to cut gasoline prices by ¥10 a liter
The move comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures and the rising cost of living.
Orbis Investment Management bought shares of Mitsubishi Estate over the past months on the view that inflation will lift revenue as the domestic real estate sector remains attractive.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 22, 2025
Top Japan fund adds Mitsubishi Estate shares on cheap valuations
The return of inflation in Japan has lured overseas investors to the nation’s real estate market and property developer shares.
In the 12 months to March 31, the average price of new condominiums in Tokyo's 23 wards rose 11.2% year on year to ¥116.32 million ($824,500), hitting a record high for the fourth consecutive year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 22, 2025
Central Tokyo condo price tops ¥100 million for second straight year
Prices averaged ¥116.32 million ($824,500) in fiscal 2024, up 11.2% from the previous year.
Bags of rice at a warehouse in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Japan imported South Korean rice for the first time since 1999 this month amid soaring domestic prices for the staple grain.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 21, 2025
Japan buys first South Korean rice in over two decades as prices surge
The Japan office of South Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation said it brought in and sold 2 tons of Korean rice this month.
A historic surge in rice prices in Japan is prompting retailers to turn to cheaper ingredients like barley and noodles in bento meal boxes to keep costs down and hold on to customers.
JAPAN
Apr 20, 2025
Japanese retailers trying to overcome soaring rice prices
Some retailers are expanding the sale of lower-priced foreign rice.
The average price for 60 kilograms of unmilled rice in March stood at ¥25,876, down 2% from the previous month.
BUSINESS
Apr 18, 2025
Wholesaler rice prices in Japan see first drop in eight months
The average price for 60 kilograms of unmilled rice stood at ¥25,876, down 2% from the previous month but still up 68% from 2023 rice a year before.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.2% from a year ago in March, accelerating from a 3% increase in the previous month, according to the internal affairs ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 18, 2025
Japan’s inflation quickens as rice prices gain the most in over 50 years
The price of the nation’s staple grain rose 92.1% in March from a year earlier, the fastest pace in data going back to 1971.
Top Japan trade negotiator canceled U.S. trip over rice, report says
Ryosei Akazawa
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
Philippine bid to acquire used Japanese warships gains steam
Tokyo is looking to transfer Abukuma-class vessels to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to boost the defense capabilities of like-minded neighbors amid growing Chinese military assertiveness in the region.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
‘Mount Fuji Lawson’ becomes a symbol of Japan’s overtourism problem
A couple poses for a wedding photo in front of a Lawson in the town of Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Aug. 25.
How Tokyo's Ueno Zoo helps their animals cope with extreme heat
A polar bear at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Thursday. The Arctic animals are among the most vulnerable species to Japan's scorching summer heat and zookeepers have to take a number of precautions in order to keep them safe.
Japan is warming up to tattoos — just not permanent ones
Tattoos have a complex history in Japan, but new types of temporary ink are letting locals curious about body art experiment without the commitment.
Japan to launch broad review of immigration policies amid rise in foreign nationals
Foreign tourists at Narita Airport in June. A report released Friday stresses that Japan is at a turning point and that current ad-hoc measures on immigration are no longer sufficient.
Japan looks to build drone ‘shield’ in record defense budget request
A group of Ground Self-Defense Force service members discuss drone operations and capabilities at a joint static display during the Orient Shield 24 opening ceremony at the Yausubetsu Training Area in Hokkaido in July last year.

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