Currencies

An auto worker at Ford-Mazda joint-venture plant in Thailand. Japanese companies have been relying more on overseas production, meaning that a weak yen helps them less than it once did.
Economy

Weak yen loses its magic for Japan's manufacturers

Latest BOJ survey highlights pressure from surging commodity prices

2 April 2022
The yen no longer has the designation of safe haven currency.
Opinion

A weaker yen will re-energize Japan

Media commentary has been too focused on the downsides

31 March 2022
Speculation that the government and central bank would respond to the yen's sharp depreciation in recent weeks pushed the currency back up to the 121-yen level against the dollar on Wednesday. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura) 
Currencies

Yen surges to 121-level as BOJ governor meets Kishida

Speculation is growing that government, central bank will respond to sharp depreciation

30 March 2022
Fumio Kishida speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Mar. 23: let us hope Kishida can lead Japan down a different path.
Opinion

Japan's weak-yen addiction is backfiring dramatically

Tokyo must atone for two decades of failing to implement economic reform

30 March 2022
The immediate cause of the yen's weakness is a split in monetary policy between Japan and the U.S.
Economy

Yen at risk of downward spiral fueled by trade deficit, BOJ easing

Concerns of vicious cycle bring benefits of weak currency into question

30 March 2022
The Bank of Japan is maintaining large-scale monetary easing even as counterparts at other developed economies start to tighten their monetary policy amid inflationary pressures.
Currencies

BOJ's lone battle against rising yields accelerates yen's slide

Weak currency risks exacerbating inflation, current account deficit

29 March 2022
The Bank of Japan has pledged to keep policy loose, in contrast with most other major central banks, which are in rate hike mode.
Currencies

Yen hits 6-year low on BOJ move to tamp down bond yields

Japan's central bank pledges to keep policy loose as major peers tighten up

28 March 2022
Geopolitics will, at some stage, force banks to choose between the dollar framework and a rival yuan system.
Opinion

The risks of a global financial schism are mounting

Precedent set by Russian sanctions dramatically increases geopolitical instability

27 March 2022
A tanker loads liquefied natural gas bound for Japan in 2016. Energy prices that year were far lower than they are today, adding to the currency pressures now being felt by Japan.
Currencies

Japan asks how low can the yen go, and will it hurt

Bears see currency hitting 125 to the dollar by year's end

23 March 2022
The Japanese yet hit its weakest level in six years on March 22. 
Currencies

Japanese yen touches 120 to U.S. dollar, weakest in six years

BOJ's Kuroda reiterates loose monetary policy, rallying yen bears

22 March 2022
Though a weak yen can be a boon for Japan's economy, which relies heavily on exports, it also increases the price of imports in the country in a blow to households and businesses alike.
Currencies

BOJ walks fine line as it faces the wrong kind of inflation

Japan could bleed over $100bn a year from crude, yen headwinds, Daiwa says

19 March 2022
The yen has fallen rapidly against the dollar over the past week, reaching 118.50 to the dollar at one point Tuesday. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama)
Currencies

No longer a safe haven, once-mighty yen slumps

Current-account deficit and decline of carry trade erode demand from risk-shy traders

16 March 2022
As Russia is discovering, the ability to access currency reserves depends on the goodwill of G-7 nations.
Opinion

Japan's banks suddenly hold huge leverage over China's economy

Accessing dollars outside the U.S. is not as easy as it sounds

14 March 2022
Although only a few countries are restricting imports of Russian oil, many companies are shying away from the fuel over logistical and ethical concerns.
10 March 2022
Strong Chinese exports have contributed to the unusual appreciation of the yuan during the Ukraine war.
Currencies

Yuan soars while ruble crashes during Ukraine crisis

Chinese currency seen as cross-border haven amid sanctions against Moscow

3 March 2022
A mural of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Moscow-region town of Kashira. His decision to invade Ukraine is rupturing economic ties between his the country and the West.
Ukraine war

From BP to Daimler, rush of corporate exits isolate Russia further

Beijing can help soften the blow to Moscow -- but by how much?

1 March 2022
Gold bars for sale at a dealer in Tokyo's Ginza district. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
Commodities

Gold price hits record in Japan on fear of yen stagflation

Savers worried over steady loss of purchasing power, analysts say

22 February 2022
A bank clerk counts dollar banknotes next to stack of 100 yuan notes at a bank outlet in Haian: China faces some difficult choices because it does not have true monetary independence.
Opinion

China's dangerous dollar addiction should worry Asia

Concerns behind Xi Jinping's Davos speech are becoming clearer

16 February 2022
An employee counts yuan notes at a bank in Nanjing, China. New reporting requirements will be introduced for deposits or withdrawals exceeding 50,000 yuan.
Finance

Follow the money: China adds scrutiny to deposits, withdrawals

New rules on $8,000 bank transactions said to target money laundering

11 February 2022
Once seen as panacea for Japan's economic ills, the weaker yen is sapping households' purchasing power through higher prices for imported goods.
Datawatch

Weaker yen pinches household budgets in Japan

From clothing to smartphones, rising import prices mean lower living standards

2 February 2022
As of Thursday evening in New York, ahead of the new Asian market open, the dollar index stood at 97.25, up 1.3% in 24 hours to its highest figure since July 2020.
Markets

U.S. dollar surge sets up new bout of global market volatility

Traders send currency to 18-month high after Fed's hawkish comments

28 January 2022
 (Source photos by Tsuyoshi Tamehiro, Karina Nooka, Wataru Ito and Reuters)
Market Spotlight

Weak yen complicates life for Kuroda and Kishida

Traders predict further tests for Japanese currency

24 January 2022
The yen has lost value against the dollar even with prices rising faster in the U.S. than Japan.
Currencies

Yen's lost decades: Japanese buying power sinks to near 50-year low

Loss of currency strength threatens higher costs for imports

21 January 2022
Economists have diverging views on whether the Turkish central bank and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can stick to a strategy of loosening policy in the face of rocketing prices. Annual inflation in December hit 36%. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

'Let's pray it holds': Turkey's lira gamble keeps investors guessing

New devaluation-protected savings products halt decline but inflation still a menace

17 January 2022
The NUG is letting citizens use Tether because its greater use could weaken the power of the military. (Source photo by Reuters and Tether website)
Cryptocurrencies

Myanmar's pro-democracy forces resist with cryptocurrency

Tether emerges as potential savior for people seeking freedom over their assets

16 January 2022