Tag - japanese economy

 
 

JAPANESE ECONOMY

Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi at a debate at the Japan National Press Club with other candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency on Sept. 24
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 29, 2025
Takaichi moots U.S. tariff deal do-over when asked about $550 billion pledge
The woman who could become Japan’s next prime minister raises questions about the agreement.
People take photos of Sanrio characters at an event organized by a transportation and real estate firm in the city of Okayama in July. Hello Kitty celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, while My Melody reached its 50th anniversary this year.
BUSINESS
Sep 28, 2025
Oshikatsu consumption grows in Japan, buoying related stocks
According to research company Intage, 35.1% of 5,000 people said they support certain characters or celebrities, and this proportion was higher among younger respondents.
The average salary for men was ¥5.87 million, up 3.2%, and that of women was ¥3.33 million, up 5.5%, both marking record highs.
BUSINESS
Sep 27, 2025
Japan private-sector pay hits record in 2024
The average grew for the fourth consecutive year. The pace of increase exceeded 3% for the first time in 33 years.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks before signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Sept. 19.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 27, 2025
Trump’s 100% pharmaceutical tariffs won’t apply to Japan and EU
A U.S.-Japan joint statement says American tariff rates on Japanese drugs and semiconductors should not exceed those applied to others, including the EU.
Concern about prices in Japan is at or near record highs.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 26, 2025
Inflation and ‘food situation’ concerns top key Japan survey
Rising prices have not been this much of a worry since just after the 1973 oil shock.
U.S. President Donald Trump is rolling out a number of new tariffs on Oct. 1.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 26, 2025
Japan might be spared Trump's 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals
The country has a most-favored-nation agreement with the U.S. that should cover these products.
Most Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Section companies have independent directors now.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Sep 26, 2025
Japanese corporate boards have changed dramatically in recent years
Governance reforms have led to the addition of independent outside directors.
Tokyo inflation is holding steady in September as subsidies offset price pressures, supporting Bank of Japan's cautious policy path.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 26, 2025
Tokyo consumer inflation unexpectedly holds steady, backing BOJ’s caution
The sudden steadying of the main gauge shows anew the volatility of data as government measures meant to help consumers cope with soaring costs of living swing the results.
Market expectations for a rate hike when the Bank of Japan next sets policy on Oct. 30 have been gaining momentum as inflation has held steady and the economy has showed resilience.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 25, 2025
BOJ may raise rate as soon as October, says former board member
Market expectations for a rate hike when the bank next sets policy have been gaining momentum as inflation has held steady and the economy has showed resilience.
In April 2022, the Tokyo Stock Exchange reorganized its four markets into three sections: Prime, Standard and Growth.
BUSINESS / Markets / FOCUS
Sep 25, 2025
In fourth year of TSE reform, listed firms face pivotal choices
The TSE reorganized its four markets into three sections, then disclosed that 208 companies did not meet the criteria for continued listing on these markets.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi has changed course on some economic issues.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 24, 2025
LDP presidential candidates get closer to opposition on some economic issues
They have to make more compromises as the ruling coalition no longer has the majority.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The <i>tankan</i> survey is one of key economic indicators the central bank assesses when determining monetary policy.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 23, 2025
BOJ tankan expected to show slight rise in manufacturers' sentiment
The lowering of United States' tariffs on Japanese cars and auto parts earlier this month is likely to have eased makers' perception of current business conditions.
James Baker speaks at the funeral service for former U.S. President George Bush in Houston in December 2018. As Treasury secretary in 1985, he was the key U.S. negotiator of the Plaza Accord, the landmark deal to weaken the dollar and realign global currencies.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 22, 2025
Why the Plaza Accord is still the gold standard
Rather than grieve Plaza, salute it. The deal reflected a confluence of national interest, diplomatic nous and a sense that common interests dictated collaboration.
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a news conference announcing his formal entry into the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in Tokyo on Saturday.
JAPAN / Politics
Sep 20, 2025
Koizumi makes economic growth top priority in bid for LDP presidency
Agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi used a news conference Saturday in Tokyo to unveil a raft of policies as he sought to appeal to his party’s conservative wing.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda said it would take a century for the bank to sell all its ETFs at the pace proposed.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 19, 2025
Bank of Japan to start unloading ETFs in surprise move that rattles market
After the announcement, the Nikkei 225 fell from a record high and the yen strengthened.
The Bank of Japan has maintained a wait-and-see approach for most of the year.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 17, 2025
Bank of Japan set to hold rates steady even as inflation remains high
It is expected to keep the policy rate at 0.5% at its meeting this week.
Japan's exports slipped 0.1% in August from a year earlier, led by a 13.8% drop in the value of shipments to the U.S., with cars the main drag.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 17, 2025
Japan’s exports fall for fourth month as U.S. shipments tumble
Exports slipped 0.1% in August from a year earlier, led by cars and steel, the Finance Ministry reported Wednesday.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, speaks on Tuesday about the implementation of the Japan-U.S. trade deal.
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 16, 2025
U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos formally cut to 15% from 27.5%
The reduction is a long-awaited implementation of the terms of a July 22 agreement.
Drawn by reforms and growing shareholder focus, activist investors are ramping up buying Japanese stocks.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 16, 2025
Activist funds ramp up Japan bets after record bids last year
The 10 largest activist investors in Japan put an estimated ¥890 billion into Japanese stocks in the first half of this year.
The average summer bonus for employees of major companies in Japan has now increased for the fourth year in a row.
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 14, 2025
Summer bonuses at major Japan firms hit record
The shipbuilding, retail and finance sectors all posted significant jumps, while both the steel and service industries saw an overall decline.

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?