Currencies

Under the leadership of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans are refusing to raise the debt limit unless the White House agrees to massive budget cuts.
17 May 2023
The yen has lost strength against a range of currencies, including the Swiss franc.
Currencies

Yen near record low against Swiss franc as safe haven appeal fades

Trade deficits and BOJ policy have eroded Japanese currency's strength

13 May 2023
China has been researching into the digital yuan since 2014.
Currencies

Chinese cities begin to pay public employees in digital yuan

Move in Changshu marks next phase to encourage e-currency's adoption

5 May 2023
A proposed revision to the Chiang Mai Initiative would allow currency swaps in times of natural disaster, such as severe flooding that hit Malaysia last year.
Finance

ASEAN, Japan and others eye broader currency safety net

Changes to Chiang Mai Initiative would cover natural disasters, pandemics

29 April 2023
The yen weakened against the euro and the dollar after the Bank of Japan decided to maintain its ultraloose monetary policy.
Currencies

Yen plunges to lowest in over 14 years against euro after BOJ decision

Bank of Japan stands pat ahead of another expected ECB rate hike

29 April 2023
Kazuo Ueda's first monetary policy meeting as governor of the Bank of Japan sparked a mild yen sell-off, as traders concluded the bank plans to maintain its accommodative policy.
Markets

Yen weakens, stocks rise after BOJ announcement

Central bank's long review process sends dovish message to market

28 April 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reviews an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the government house in Bangkok on Feb 9. 
Economy

Asian Monetary Fund idea revived amid U.S.-China row

Malaysia's Anwar cites need to make ASEAN less dependent on IMF, dollar

20 April 2023
Sumitomo Life Insurance CEO Yukinori Takada. (Photo by Hiroshi Endo)
Currencies

Currency hedging costs in bonds to stay high: Sumitomo Life CEO

Insurer sees no narrowing of Japan-U.S. interest rate gap this year

20 April 2023
The yen touched a month-and-a-half high beyond 130 to the dollar on Friday.
Currencies

Yen rises in rush for refuge from financial turmoil

Foreign investors seek stability in JGBs as rate hikes hit assets abroad

25 March 2023
QR code payment systems are popular in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, where almost everyone has a phone but many lack a bank account.
Finance

Asian QR code payment apps flood into Japan

Retailers hope to grab more inbound tourism sales with adoption of the systems

7 March 2023
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks on Feb. 1: The Fed fears what it cannot see.
Opinion

Worries about another Asian crisis are shadowing the Fed

A dollar liquidity squeeze would have deep impact in the region

6 March 2023
The Hong Kong dollar is hovering along the weak end of a band pegged to the greenback after a roughly three-month reprieve.
Currencies

Hong Kong dollar doldrums renew doubts over U.S. peg

Carry trades exploiting yield gap puts pressure on the currency

1 March 2023
The yen weakened against the dollar on Feb. 24 on signs the gap between Japanese and U.S. interest rates will continue to widen.
Currencies

Yen hits 2-month low on BOJ nominee's easing stance, U.S. inflation

Kazuo Ueda's remarks seen as favoring status quo at Bank of Japan

25 February 2023
The dollar and the euro accounted for 34% and 19% of Russia's export payments as of September, down from 52% and 35% in January, before the sanctions took effect.
Currencies

Russia speeds shift to ruble and yuan as sanctions bite

Response to Ukraine war fuels move away from export payments in dollars and euros

23 February 2023
The Bank of Japan has been working since 2021 on a proof of concept to see if the introduction of a digital yen is technologically possible. (Photo by Kento Awashima)
Economy

Digital yen pilot program to start in April, Bank of Japan says

Banks and payment service companies expected to take part in project

18 February 2023
Kazuo Ueda has been nominated by the government as the Bank of Japan's next governor. (Nikkei montage/Kohtaro Igarashi/Akira Kodaka)
Bank of Japan

Japan nominates Kazuo Ueda as next BOJ governor

Opposition leader calls for review of central bank's ultra-loose policy

14 February 2023
The transfer of Russia's reserve assets into yuan does not eliminate geopolitical risk. 
Opinion

Russia's embrace of yuan cannot bring financial stability

Reliance on the Chinese currency brings new risks and complications

14 February 2023
A crane unloads a container at a Tokyo port. The world's third-largest economy expanded in 2022 but the growth rate slowed from 2021.
Economy

Japan's GDP slows to 1.1% in 2022 on weaker export growth

Economy marks annualized 0.6% growth in October-December quarter

14 February 2023
Financial markets will be waiting to see whether the Bank of Japan dials back monetary easing under a new leader. (Photo by Karina Noka)
Your Week in Asia

BOJ new governor, Singapore budget, Hong Kong population

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

12 February 2023
The Laotian central bank's test of its digital currency will involve consumers using the currency to pay for purchases at stores. (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Currencies

Laos begins digital currency trial with Japan blockchain company

Southeast Asian country explores cross-border payments to get ahead of the curve

7 February 2023
Chinese tourists flocked to Asian destinations like Bali, Indonesia, during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Markets

Hopes for China's economic reopening buoy Asian currencies

Positive signs draw money back to emerging markets, but uncertainty remains

4 February 2023
The currency market will weigh forthcoming Bank of Japan nominees' past statements on monetary policy.
Currencies

Yen jumps after panel calls for Bank of Japan course change

Market watches for signals from possible BOJ deputy governor candidate

31 January 2023
A recovering Chinese economy and the launching of programs such as yuan-denominated share trading in Hong Kong will likely boost offshore demand for the currency.
Caixin

What's in store for yuan internationalization in 2023?

Chinese currency set to gain more traction as PBOC boosts overseas use

30 January 2023
Seoul's Myeong-dong district, known for international fashion brands and luxury department stores. High interest rates have become a significant burden on households. (Photo by Hiroshi Minegishi)
Economy

South Korea's mortgage rates balloon, dampening spending

Economy continues to slow as central bank focuses on protecting the won

27 January 2023
Vietnamese tourists dressed in traditional Thai costumes take a selfie at Wat Arun temple ahead of the Lunar New Year in Bangkok on Jan. 18.
Markets

Thai baht, equities gain on tourism boost during Lunar New Year

Financial trade tax and election create mixed economic outlook

23 January 2023