Currencies

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
With Japan's interest rates still near zero, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasurys rose to 4.95%, pressuring the yen. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Currencies

Yen weakens past 150 per dollar to a new low point for the year

Currency in crosshairs as investors heed Japan-U.S. interest rate gap

26 October 2023
YouTrip is seeking to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia following a fresh $50 million in funding from investors. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Startups

Singapore's multicurrency wallet YouTrip to enter Malaysia, CEO says

Startup secures $50m in funding to tap regional travel and business demand

26 October 2023
A sign at a shopping mall in Shanghai indicates payments can be made in digital yuan.
Currencies

China's digital yuan struggle underscores challenges for central banks

Cambodia's Bakong overcomes initial barriers through private-sector cooperation

26 October 2023
The yuan is facing downward pressure as foreign investors pull back from China and wealthy residents look to move their money abroad. (Photo by Yusuke Hinata)
Markets

Net outflow of funds from China hits 7-year high in September

Foreign companies scaling back, rich people shifting funds abroad drives trend

25 October 2023
The Thai baht, ground zero for the 1997 Asian financial crisis, is among leading exchange-rate decliners in the region. 
Opinion

Sliding Southeast Asian currencies are raising echoes of 1997

Other central banks may follow Indonesia's surprise rate hike

25 October 2023
Bank Indonesia explained that the rate hike was a precautionary measure to mitigate the impact of higher prices for imports.
Economy

Indonesian rate hike highlights Asia's tough battle to defend currencies

Prospects of easing fade as Philippine peso and others remain weak

23 October 2023
"Foreign exchange rates should move in a stable manner in line with economic fundamentals," said Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Currencies

Japan to counter FX volatility with intervention, says official

High swings are damaging the economy, says finance ministry's Kanda

19 October 2023
Many Japanese retail investors are shorting the dollar against the yen in anticipation of a rebound.
Markets

Japan retail forex trades hit record $60tn for January-September

Contrarian bets against weak yen risk adding to downward pressure if unwound

17 October 2023
Kazuo Ueda, left, took over as head of the Bank of Japan in April. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
Editor-in-Chief’s Picks

Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Japan's yen dilemma

Shin Nakayama shares his weekly reflections and recommendations

13 October 2023
Further yen depreciation against the dollar could spark renewed inflation in Japan after a period of falling import prices.
Currencies

Japan hints that even slow yen sell-off may trigger intervention

Tokyo seen taking broader view of 'excessive volatility' on inflation fears

5 October 2023
Screens at a foreign exchange trading company in Tokyo show the U.S. dollar trading above the 150 yen mark on the night of Oct. 3.
Currencies

Yen's jump after hitting 150 sparks intervention speculation

Authorities not drawn on whether stepped in: currency weakens again Wednesday

4 October 2023
The yen temporarily fell past the 150 mark against the dollar for the first time in a year. (Photo by Masayuki Terazawa) 
Currencies

Yen weakens past 150 per dollar despite intervention warnings

Japanese official gives no comment on whether government defended currency

4 October 2023
The overall value of the dollar has risen 3.7% since March 2022, according to a Nikkei index.
Currencies

Strong dollar draws investors as U.S. real interest rates soar

Greenback steals yen trade from Aussie dollar, other high-yield favorites

4 October 2023
The H100 GPU's price has not changed in dollars but jumped 16% in Japan this September. (Photo courtesy of Nvidia)
Semiconductors

Prices for Nvidia generative AI chips soar in Japan

Weak yen squeezes tech developers rushing for leading-edge GPUs

3 October 2023
Workers assemble a vehicle at a Toyota plant in Japan's Fukuoka prefecture. Business sentiment improved substantially at large manufacturers in the latest quarterly Tankan survey by the Bank of Japan. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Weak yen boosts Japan's business confidence, BOJ survey shows

Rising prices for imports dampen outlook in nonmanufacturing sector

3 October 2023
A senior official at the People's Bank of China wants the country's financial institutions to open more branches overseas to better serve Chinese companies.
Caixin

China central banker pushes banks to expand along Belt and Road

More branches could ease yuan transactions and internationalize currency

29 September 2023
The U.S. Federal Reserve maintains hawkish rhetoric, raising the prospects of further interest rate hikes and widening the rate differentials between U.S. and Asian economies.
Currencies

Asian currencies hit new 2023 lows as economic growth struggles

Fed's higher-for-longer stance weighs increasingly on Asian markets

27 September 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has done a solid job forging closer ties with Washington but all bets are off as both U.S. parties scramble to look tougher on trade with Asia.
Opinion

U.S. election season is wrong time for yuan, yen to slide

As American politicians look for economic scapegoats, Kishida should seek cover

27 September 2023
The yen weakened to more than 149 to the dollar for the first time in nearly a year. (Photo by Kento Awashima)
Currencies

Yen weakens past 149 to dollar, nearing 1-year low

Dollar buying fueled by Treasury yield's 16-year high, Fed official's comment

26 September 2023
With the Fed signaling interest rates will remain higher for longer, conditions will continue to favor a strong dollar, currency watchers say.
Currencies

Yen intervention watch redoubles after Fed, BOJ meetings

Currency under pressure with Japan-U.S. yield gap at 10-month high

25 September 2023
The Bank of Japan in Tokyo. At its July meeting, the central bank tweaked policy by allowing 10-year Japanese government bond yields to rise to 1%.
Currencies

Yen falls past 148 per dollar after BOJ announcement

Central bank statement offers few hints about ending dovish policies

22 September 2023
The yen's purchasing power is now weaker than that in 1970, when the exchange rate was fixed to 360 to the dollar. (Photo by Wataru Ito)
Currencies

Yen's buying power sinks to all-time low amid sustained deflation

Currency drops below 1970 value, raising travel and import costs for Japanese

22 September 2023
The yen is being sold on the view that the gap between Japanese and U.S. interest rates will remain wide even if the Bank of Japan reviews its negative interest rate policy.
Currencies

Yen falls to 148 range vs. dollar in Tokyo, lowest in 10 months

Widening gap between Japanese and U.S. interest rates expected

20 September 2023
Raising interest rates on dollar time deposits in Japan will help customers avoid the risk of losses from exchange rate fluctuations.
Finance

Japan's SMBC to boost rates on dollar deposits to 5.3% from 0.01%

Bank will give higher interest on U.S. currency than big American peers

19 September 2023