Tag - japanese-economy

 
 

JAPANESE ECONOMY

Former CDP executive Kenji Eda discusses a possible reduction of the consumption tax rate, in Tokyo on April 10.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 17, 2025
CDP divisions over proposed tax cut pose headache for Yoshihiko Noda
The nation’s largest opposition party is preparing for the Upper House poll in July, in which it hopes to win enough seats to make a CDP-led coalition government possible.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, speaks to reporters in Washington on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 17, 2025
Japan and the U.S. begin tariff talks on good terms, but without breakthroughs
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said there are still gaps between the respective stances of Japan and the U.S.
Japan's exports measured by value gained 3.9% in March from a year earlier, slower than estimated.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 17, 2025
Japan’s exports rise at slower pace as Trump tariffs begin
The outlook for Japan's economy appears increasingly uncertain as Trump deepens his tariff campaign, prompting nations like China to retaliate.
Economists fail to understand that Donald Trump's tariff policy is part of a broader strategy to prepare the U.S. for long-term competition with China, driven by national security concerns rather than traditional economic or trade policy.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 17, 2025
What economists 'don’t get' about Trump tariffs
My view is that the U.S. has started to prepare seriously for a long-term competition with China for global dominance.
Economic revitalization minister Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, responds to a question at Haneda Airport in Tokyo ahead of his visit to the United States on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 16, 2025
Akazawa, Japan’s tariff czar, jets to Washington for mission impossible 
Tokyo realizes that achieving a satisfactory meeting of the minds with Washington will be a real challenge.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 16, 2025
Trump’s tariffs may spur policy response from BOJ, Sankei reports
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda's policy comments reinforce speculation that authorities aren’t likely to consider a near-term rate hike.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday
JAPAN
Apr 16, 2025
Japan unlikely to compile extra budget now
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba believes it is necessary to closely monitor the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy.
The Bank of Japan will likely postpone raising interest rates due to uncertainties stemming from U.S. tariff measures that could deal a blow to Japan’s economy, a former executive director said.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 15, 2025
BOJ will likely put rate hike aside for now, ex-official says
"They will be in a wait-and-see mode for a while,” said Kenzo Yamamoto, a former executive at the Bank of Japan.
The Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito are increasingly divided over economic measures to deal with inflation and U.S. tariffs.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 12, 2025
Ruling coalition divided over consumption tax cut
While some are leaning toward a tax cut, LDP Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama and others are seeking a cash handout instead.
Commuters walk past a fruit store at a shopping arcade in Kyoto earlier this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 12, 2025
Survey forecasts 12% rise in inflation in Japan over coming year
Of those surveyed, 86.7% said that prices are likely to be higher in a year's time, up from 85.7%.
Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan leader Yoshihiko Noda speaks during a news conference Friday afternoon at the Diet building in Tokyo.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 12, 2025
CDP kicks off discussions on cutting consumption tax
While party leader Yoshihiko Noda has been cautious, calls for a cut are growing within the party, especially in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's onerous tariff policies.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2025
Price expectations rise in Japan as tariffs cloud BOJ rate path
Households expect average annual inflation of 9.6% over the next five years, the highest since June 2006.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda at a news conference in January. He has been in the top position for two years.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2025
After two years in top job, BOJ's Ueda faces his biggest challenge yet 
Communication will be more crucial from now on, as the economic outlook will be more uncertain than ever because of the U.S. tariffs.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba gives instructions to Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa (third from left) and others at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2025
Japan braces for talks on yen and BOJ in trade negotiations with U.S.
Ryosei Akazawa, who is heading the task force, is reportedly set to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week.
Berkshire Hathaway concluded a ¥90 billion ($628 million) bond deal on Friday, the smallest yen deal by investor Warren Buffett’s firm since it started tapping the Japanese market in 2019.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 11, 2025
Berkshire sells $628 million in yen bonds in smallest Japan deal
The move came despite sharp market volatility prompting several Japanese companies to cancel sales.
Environmental, social and governance funds are increasingly looking to Japan, as efforts to boost diversity are coming amid a regulatory and government push for better corporate governance.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 11, 2025
Trump’s DEI rollback gives Japan a chance to draw ESG inflows
Japanese firms have long lagged behind their Western peers on gender equality, but the U.S. crackdown on diversity may give them a chance to shine.
Tokyo stocks tracked Wall Street lower as the United States and China hiked tariffs on imports from each other.
BUSINESS / Markets
Apr 11, 2025
Nikkei sinks as tariff-fueled selling resumes
An increase in U.S. levies on China to 145% has reignited concerns about the global economy and corporate profits.
U.S. President Donald Trump looks on after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday in Washington.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 10, 2025
Tokyo cheers Trump’s tariff U-turn with second-biggest market gain ever
The news of Trump’s 90-day pause on “reciprocal tariffs”was welcomed by Japan and its markets, with the 225-issue Nikkei stock average up more than 9% on Thursday.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba raises his hand to answer a question about the U.S. tariff measures during a parliamentary committee session in Tokyo on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Apr 10, 2025
Government considers fresh economic package to tackle impact of U.S. tariffs
Consensus is growing within the LDP-Komeito coalition over the need for intervention, though opinions are mixed on how to do it.
Producer prices of farm goods surged 19.7% in fiscal 2024 from the previous year, reflecting higher prices of rice sold to wholesalers.
BUSINESS
Apr 10, 2025
Japan producer prices rise 3.3% in fiscal 2024
According to a preliminary report by the Bank of Japan, the producer price index in the year through March hit a record high for the third straight year.

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Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.