Bonds

The BOJ hopes to deter speculators from targeting the ceiling it has set on Japanese government bond yields, sparing itself the need to buy droves of JGBs. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Bank of Japan

BOJ to tweak policy again to allow 10-year yields to exceed 1%

Central bank to also take a more flexible stance on JGB-buying operations

30 October 2023
The BOJ will release a quarterly update to economic projections among the nine board members after the policy meeting, which will give a clue to the BOJ's view on the durability of inflation. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Suzu Takahashi and pool)
Market Spotlight

Japan yen poised for a big move as the BOJ discusses its next step

Policy meeting follows rate hikes by Indonesia and the Philippines

30 October 2023
Overseas investors sold $6 billion more in long-term Japanese bonds than they purchased in the week ending Oct. 21.
Bonds

Foreign investors lead Japan bond sell-off as yields near decade high

Shift in sentiment comes amid anticipation of BOJ policy move next week

28 October 2023
Unhedged bets on foreign bonds are exposed to the risk of currency volatility.
Insurance

Japanese life insurers wade into unhedged foreign bonds

Four of 10 big companies poised to add to holdings in coming months

27 October 2023
China's economic growth slowed to 4.9% between July and September, as a property crisis dented confidence 
Economy

China approves $139bn in new bonds to bolster economic recovery

First budget revision in years as fresh stimulus widens deficit target to 3.8%

25 October 2023
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is looking to develop green and sustainable finance markets.
Caixin

Beijing and Hong Kong agree to promote cross-border financing

Two authorities plan to help Chinese companies issue bonds in financial hub

22 October 2023
The case of property developer Van Thinh Phat has become symbolic of Vietnam's sweeping crackdown on graft in the public and private sectors.
Property

Vietnam says $1.2bn property bond fraud hurt 42,000 investors

Developer at heart of scandal now a symbol of country's campaign against graft

3 October 2023
Analysts say including Indian government debt in J.P. Morgan's emerging market bond index could bring in up to $26 billion in investment. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and AP)
Bonds

J.P. Morgan includes Indian government debt in global bond index

Analysts expect move to lower cost of borrowing, help fund infrastructure

22 September 2023
Unease about China's economic outlook has spurred investors to shift out of the market.
Bonds

China's short-term bond yields climb in defiance of rate cuts

Capital flight and corporate rush for financing outweigh central bank moves

22 September 2023
Households in Japan hold a record amount of financial assets now. (Photo by Kento Awashima)
21 September 2023
JKN Global Group, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, failed to repay a corporate bond worth $12 million that was due on Sept. 1.
Bonds

Thailand hit by rising bond defaults as interest rates climb

Miss Universe organizer and a developer are among the latest to miss payments

15 September 2023
Speculation is mounting that the Bank of Japan will end its negative interest rate policy in early 2024, or even late this year.
Bonds

Japan 10-year bond yields hit 9-year high on lookout for BOJ shift

Interest rate derivatives start to price in expectations of early end to negative rates

13 September 2023
China and Japan's holdings accounted for $1.94 trillion in Treasury securities as of June, roughly a quarter of the total held abroad. (Photo by Nikkei)
Bonds

Japan, China pare U.S. Treasury holdings as currencies hit new lows

Potential for yen intervention rises, while yuan paints different picture, analysts say

9 September 2023
South Korea has joined a rising tide of foreign issuers in Japan's yen bond market.
Bonds

South Korea to raise $475m in samurai bond debut

Warming relations and low interest rates set stage for offering

8 September 2023
Swiss authorities are attracting legal action over their decision in March to protect Credit Suisse shareholders at the expense of bond creditors, wiping out an estimated $16 billion worth of AT1 bonds.
Finance

Hong Kong investors plan AT1 action against Switzerland

Preparation for legal filing comes as Japan investors move toward arbitration

5 September 2023
JFE Holdings, Japan's second-largest steelmaker by output, will expand production of a material for EV motors at home and in India. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Climate Change

Steelmaker JFE to raise $1.3bn for decarbonization in share, bond sale

Exclusive: Japanese group eyes investments in electric furnace, EV materials

5 September 2023
Overseas investors last month logged their highest net sales of Japanese government bonds since January.
Bonds

Foreign investors unloaded net $9bn of Japanese bonds in July

JGB sell-off came on speculation of tweak to Bank of Japan's yield curve control

22 August 2023
The Federal Reserve building in Washington. Japan's investors sold record levels of U.S. bonds in 2022 after interest rate hikes.
Bonds

Japan investors snap up U.S. bonds, expecting end of rate hikes

BOJ policy tweak likely to lure money back into yen instruments in 2nd half

16 August 2023
The Bank of Japan's Tokyo headquarters. The BOJ has made its yield curve control more flexible. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Bonds

Japan life insurers set to buy more ultralong bonds on BOJ policy shift

Closely watched JGB investors have plenty of firepower for purchases

11 August 2023
Global bond markets were rattled on July 28 with the BOJ effectively raising the permitted range for long-term yield fluctuations to 1% at its monetary policy meeting. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Bank of Japan

Japan's 10-year bond yields reach 9-year high on BOJ policy changes

Changes by financial 'anchor' could rattle global financial markets

31 July 2023
Foreign companies like PayPal are issuing yen-denominated bonds for the first time as Japan's stable market attracts global attention.
Bonds

Yen bond issuances soar as PayPal and others jump on bandwagon

BOJ commitment to easy money policy makes fundraising easier

20 July 2023
U.S.-based BlackRock recently raised its rating for Japanese shares from "underweight" to "neutral."
Markets

BlackRock, other investment firms boost outlooks for Japan stocks

Improving shareholder returns, governance reforms cited for upgrades

16 July 2023
Japanese investors switched from dumping U.S. Treasurys last year to making heavy purchases of the debt this year.
Bonds

Japanese investors buy $100bn in foreign debt in 1st half

Mass purchasing of bonds seen contributing to yen's depreciation

11 July 2023
Toyota Motor has issued sustainability bonds under the name "Woven Planet Bond" since 2021.
Automobiles

Toyota to issue $1.5bn in bonds for EV, safety projects

Automaker's first sustainability dollar notes in 2 years carry higher yields

10 July 2023
Kyoto University is one of three finalists among the 10 schools that applied for subsidies from Japan's new university endowment fund. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Education

Japan's $70bn university fund finishes first year $420m in the red

Endowment's lofty investment target could make stable returns difficult

8 July 2023