Tag - us-debt

 
 

US DEBT

Kazuki Hara, the head of Japan’s Rating and Investment Information's sovereigns and international issuers department, says that confidence in the dollar as a key reserve currency has not been shaken.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 8, 2025
Japanese agency's affirmation of top U.S. credit rating helps Hong Kong funds
As long as Rating and Investment Information maintains its top rating for the U.S., Hong Kong funds are allowed to invest over 10% of their assets in Treasurys.
The U.S. debt crisis can’t be fixed without reforming entitlements, and that means Americans must retire later and pay more in taxes.
COMMENTARY / World
May 22, 2025
To fix the U.S. debt problem, Americans must retire later
The House’s proposed $3.7 trillion tax bill isn’t what sparked that Moody’s downgrade — it was the runaway growth of entitlement spending.
Moody’s downgrade of the U.S. credit rating reflects growing concern over Washington’s unwillingness to confront rising debt, soaring deficits and interest costs — even as global investors keep piling into Treasuries.
COMMENTARY
May 19, 2025
Moody’s tells us what we already know about U.S. debt
Take the firm’s decision to strip the country of its top AAA credit rating seriously, not literally.
The Aozora Bank headquarters in Tokyo. The bank surprised investors with losses tied to U.S. commercial property, sending shares down by the limit and heightening concern over global banks' exposure to souring real estate bets.
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 2, 2024
Gamble on U.S. commercial property blows up for Japan’s Aozora
Shares went down by the limit and heightened concern over global banks' exposure to souring real estate bets.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Tuesday called the downgrade of the United States' top-tier sovereign credit grade by Fitch Ratings "arbitrary” and "outdated.”
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 2, 2023
U.S. credit rating downgraded from AAA by Fitch 
Fitch Ratings criticized the country’s ballooning fiscal deficits and an "erosion of governance” that have led to repeated debt limit clashes.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jul 19, 2023
G20 finance chiefs fail to reach consensus on debt relief for poorer nations
Following 'very intense discussions” this week, the debt issue will remain a 'priority' for leaders set to gather at a September summit, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 7, 2023
Rakuten’s ¥1.8 trillion debt fuels concern despite funding
The e-commerce giant has racked up four years of losses as its mobile-phone business drains cash.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jul 7, 2023
A year after unrest, Sri Lankans languish in poverty and hunger
A year after the toppling of former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa almost a third of the country lives below the poverty line.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 30, 2023
Pakistan gets IMF's initial approval for $3 billion loan program
The funds will support the immediate efforts to stabilize the economy from recent external shocks, preserve macroeconomic stability and provide a framework for financing from partners.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 21, 2023
Unlocking climate trillions with a global plan from a sinking island
A summit in Paris this week will bring together the heads of government from more than 100 countries to grapple with financial scarcity as the single-biggest impediment to climate action.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jun 21, 2023
China moves to shut a lifeline for cash-strapped local governments
Beijing has been tightening rules on local government borrowing for years, driving their financing vehicles deeper into private markets to raise money.
Japan Times
EDITORIALS
Jun 16, 2023
Budgets are the real test of Kishida’s leadership
For the government to balance the budget while increasing spending on defense, child care and the elderly will require hard choices.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 14, 2023
China’s property tycoons remain in charge even as empires fall
To some observers, keeping the property magnates in charge ensures that their interests remain aligned with those of bondholders.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 12, 2023
Esoteric fines pile up as China’s provinces hunt for revenue
The central government reiterated that provinces have to fix hidden debt problems on their own, leaving local officials to get more creative to raise revenue.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2023
Debt debacle confirms what many thought of the U.S.
China is the chief beneficiary of the U.S. debt ceiling nonsense. Doubts about U.S. trustworthiness spur governments to look elsewhere for leadership and stability.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 5, 2023
Japan won't detail time frame to balance budget in midyear policy
The annual policy, to be adopted by the Cabinet this month, is widely considered a key gauge of the government's will to restore fiscal health.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Jun 2, 2023
U.S. debt-ceiling deal averts disaster, but savings might be less than advertised
Any potential for significant savings was lost at the outset of negotiations, when both sides said they would not consider cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 1, 2023
U.S. debt ceiling bill passes House with broad bipartisan support
The Senate must now enact the measure and get it to U.S. President Joe Biden's desk before a Monday deadline, when the federal government is expected to run out of money to pay its bills.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
May 29, 2023
U.S. debt deal could avert default and buoy nontech stocks but weigh on growth
A negotiation process that barely avoided a default also threatens to undermine the U.S. standing with credit ratings agencies.

Longform

Sumadori Bar on Shibuya Ward's main Center Gai street targets young customers who prefer low-alcohol drinks or abstain altogether.
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