Tag - japanese-economy

 
 

JAPANESE ECONOMY

Tokyo stocks rallied to a new high on Wednesday even as trade tensions and economic concerns remain.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 13, 2025
Japan's Nikkei 225 breaches 43,000 for first time ever
The benchmark stock index surged to a new high for a second consecutive day.
Former International Monetary Fund Chief Economist Maurice Obstfeld has expressed concern that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has taken policy measures, including high tariffs and tax laws, that expand the federal debt and unpredictability, thereby undermining confidence in the dollar.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 12, 2025
Former IMF economist advises Japan to strengthen non-U.S. ties
Maurice Obstfeld expressed concern that policies, including high tariffs and tax laws, that expand the federal debt and unpredictability, may undermine confidence in the dollar.
Stocks in Tokyo rallied on Tuesday despite months of uncertainty and general economic concerns.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 12, 2025
Japan's Nikkei 225 hits record high on tariff and rate optimism
Shares rise after some good news on the trade front and a long weekend.
The fourth consecutive year of increase came after many firms raised their monthly wages this spring and as a result of solid earnings mainly among manufacturers.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 8, 2025
Summer bonuses at major Japan firms hit record
The fourth consecutive year of increase came after many firms raised their monthly wages this spring and as a result of solid earnings mainly among manufacturers.
The rise in household consumption spending in Japan in June was driven by a 30.1% jump in spending to buy automobiles and motorcycles, and higher electricity bills.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
Japan's household spending rises 1.3% in June
The average spending by households with two or more members was ¥295,419 ($2,000).
The budget guidelines allow ministries and agencies to request 20% more funds than in the fiscal 2025 initial budget for priority policy measures, including those to cope with rising prices.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
Japan's government adopts budget request guidelines for fiscal 2026
The guidelines allow ministries and agencies to request 20% more funds than in the fiscal 2025 initial budget for priority policy measures.
A monitor shows the morning closing value of the Topix index hitting a fresh record, trading above 3,000 for the first time, on Friday.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 8, 2025
Japan index hits record high on earnings boost as other Asian markets ease
The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average went up 2% and the Topix index hit a fresh record, trading above 3,000 for the first time.
A Bank of Japan board member suggested the possibility of a rate hike by year-end, depending on the impact of U.S. tariffs, according to a summary of opinions from the central bank’s policy meeting last week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
BOJ may exit wait-and-see mode by year-end, policy meeting summary says
Depending on the impact from U.S. tariffs, another rate hike then might be possible, an unnamed board member hinted.
The government revised its real growth projection for fiscal year 2025 to 0.7%, down from the previous forecast of 1.2%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
Japan lowers this year’s growth forecast as tariffs kick in
The downgrade partly reflects a darkening global economic outlook as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, said the U.S. made a clerical error in not including a “reciprocal” tariff rate ceiling for Japan in the trade deal.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 8, 2025
U.S. backtracks on Japan tariff calculation, taking effective rate lower
Japan's chief tariff negotiator said that a clerical error had been made in the U.S.
Japan faces a demographic crisis that threatens its research talent and must build a more inclusive and welcoming society to attract and keep world-class scientists amid rising nationalism and economic challenges.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 7, 2025
Japan gets serious about attracting world-class researchers
The stakes are high: Without a cultural shift, even the best-funded policies may fail to secure Japan’s future.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 7, 2025
The United States imposes 15% 'reciprocal' tariff on most Japanese goods
Japan and the U.S. still disagree on how the rate will be calculated.
The National Personnel Authority recommended Thursday a 3.62% increase in average monthly base pay for public employees in the current fiscal year.
BUSINESS
Aug 7, 2025
Japan’s public workers set to get largest pay hike in 34 years
The rise in wages will come as a welcome development for policymakers at the Bank of Japan, who are seeking broad-based and lasting growth to support stable inflation.
The average wage hike rate among major Japanese firms this year hit 5% for the second straight year.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 7, 2025
Major Japan firms set record with pay hikes above 5% for second year
This year's average raise of 5.39% was the second biggest since comparable data became available in 1976.
LDP lawmaker Ken Saito
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
Japan ruling party heavyweight warns against BOJ rate hike
The remark highlights the political pressure the BOJ could face in resuming rate hikes as higher U.S. levies hurt corporate profits.
Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Taro Kono called for the Bank of Japan to tighten monetary policy to bolster the yen at a time when political leadership is under pressure after the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Upper House in an election last month.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
LDP’s Kono adds to chorus urging BOJ to tighten policy
Taro Kono’s remarks come after several prominent executives made similar pleas, though no economists expect a move when the BOJ next sets policy on Sept. 19.
U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday. He told CNBC that investment pledges are like signing bonuses.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
Trump: The $550 billion pledged by Japan is 'our money'
The U.S. president told CNBC that he is free to invest the funds however he wishes.
Nominal wages in Japan rose 2.5% in June from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain the previous month, according to the labor ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2025
Japan’s nominal pay rises faster in June, backing case for BOJ rate hike
Nominal wages increased 2.5% in June from a year earlier, accelerating from a revised 1.4% gain the previous month and marking the steepest increase since February.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa, Japan's chief tariff negotiator, is returning to the United States for another round of trade talks.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 5, 2025
Akazawa returns to U.S. for more talks as tariff deal looks shaky
Japan is urging the United States to cut the tariff on cars as soon as possible.
Hironori Kamezawa, chief executive officer of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, speaks during an interview at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 5, 2025
BOJ rate hike in September or October is 'desirable,' MUFG chief says
Such a hike is ideal in the face of strong inflation in the country.

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