Currencies

Japanese stocks took a big upswing on Aug. 6 after suffering their worst-ever sell-offs in the previous two trading days. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Equities

Tokyo stocks brace for further volatility after biggest single-day jump

Market wary as it awaits U.S. rate cut decision and Japan real wage data

6 August 2024
The Malaysian ringgit had dropped in February to its lowest level against the dollar in data going back to 1971.
Currencies

Malaysian ringgit hits 16-month high against dollar

Country's strong economy fuels rebound amid greenback sell-off

6 August 2024
Japanese stocks have been in a downward spiral since Aug. 1, a day after the Bank of Japan aggressively raised interest rates to 0.25% from 0.1% and said it was open to more hikes this year. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Equities

Japan stocks dive 4,451 points, more than Black Monday in 1987

Yen surges to 141 per dollar as potential U.S. recession spooks investors

5 August 2024
Current debates around the international monetary system focus on de-dollarization.
Opinion

The dollar's days as a universal reserve currency are numbered

Retreat from free trade signals potential shift toward multipolar economic order

5 August 2024
The dollar dropped to a four-month low on Friday after a weaker-than-expected employment report for July raised expectations for a September rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Economy

Dollar hits four-month low as weak U.S. jobs data boosts rate cut bets

Japanese yen strengthens to 146.42 against greenback at one point

3 August 2024
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on July 31. 
Opinion

Poker-faced Ueda overplays hand as BOJ enters tightening phase

Weak yen policy has taken the onus off governments to restructure the economy

2 August 2024
Toyota Motor Kyushu's production line. Sales of the Toyota and Lexus brands in the April-June period fell by 14% on year. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
Automobiles

Toyota's record Q1 net profit comes on weak yen and despite sales drop

Sales in Japan slip after group's safety test irregularities

1 August 2024
Services benefiting from inbound spending also took a blow. Department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings dropped 11.7%. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Equities

Japan's Nikkei average drops 3.5% as yen jumps to 148 per dollar

BOJ governor's hawkish posture weighs on stocks of exporters like auto companies

1 August 2024
The BOJ's monetary policy decision on July 31 sent the Japanese yen to a high it had not touched since mid-March. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Currencies

Yen jumps on BOJ chief's hawkish stance

Kazuo Ueda remains open to further rate hikes, pending economic growth and inflation

31 July 2024
The Bank of Japan is grappling with policy as a deeply depreciating yen stokes import prices and saps consumers' purchasing power. (Source photos by Nanami Sato and Pool)
Market Spotlight

'Wishy-washy' BOJ keeps investors guessing on next move

Central bank set to release tapering plan, mull timing of rate hike

29 July 2024
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen attends a Group of 20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro on July 25.
Interview

Yellen suggests Japan's yen intervention differs from typical manipulation

Exclusive: U.S. treasury chief says 'beggar thy neighbor' policies should not be used

27 July 2024
Racing at Sha Tin Racecourse on July 14: Deng Xiaoping promised that "horses will still run" for 50 years after China's resumption of control over Hong Kong in 1997. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Editor-in-Chief’s Picks

Letter from Nikkei Asia's editor: Hong Kong Jockey Club builds a lead

Shin Nakayama shares his weekly reflections and recommendations

26 July 2024
After hitting all-time highs earlier in the month, the benchmark Nikkei Stock Average and the broader Topix index have declined for more than two weeks. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Equities

Japan's Nikkei average dives 3.3% as pro investors sell shares

Weak yen darkening investors' outlook on Japanese stocks

25 July 2024
The yen reached its strongest level in roughly two months on July 24.
Currencies

Yen gets reprieve as investors see closing gap in Japan, U.S. rates

Speculators unwind yen shorts ahead of Fed and BOJ policy meetings

25 July 2024
An unexpected intervention in July has yen carry traders on edge.
Currencies

Speculative yen-selling slows as traders fear intervention

Short positions on the Japanese currency fall ahead of BOJ's next move

21 July 2024
Employees at a shop in Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo: The Japanese government lowered its economic growth forecast for the year to 0.9% on July 19, down from 1.3%, blaming the weak yen.
Economy

Japan cuts growth forecast, prime minister warns of weak-yen pain

Prediction for fiscal 2024 revised down to 0.9% expansion from earlier 1.3%

19 July 2024
Former President Donald Trump said in a recent interview that a weak yen is a problem for the U.S.
Currencies

Uncertainty over Trump, dollar plays havoc with yen carry trade

Republican presidential contender has slammed Japan's weak currency

19 July 2024
The yen's appreciation follows recent likely BOJ interventions to save the currency, which had been dipping past 160. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Currencies

Yen climbs to 155 per dollar, a five-week high, following U.S. pressure

Comments by Trump on Taiwan, Fed on rates drive up yen; exporters, chip stocks fall

18 July 2024
Investors are paying close attention to the Bank of Japan's next move with a monetary policy meeting scheduled for July 30 and 31. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Currencies

BOJ data suggests additional $13bn yen intervention on Friday

Possible back-to-back moves late last week intended to stop yen slide

16 July 2024
Staff from housekeeping services provider Bears. While a severe labor shortage in Japan means many companies are keen to hire from overseas, comparatively low wages and the historically weak yen are blunting the country's appeal. (Photos by Yuji Murakami and Ryosuke Matsui)
Asia Insight

Japan's new enemy in fight to lure immigrant workers: The tumbling yen

Visa rules eased, but currency weakness tarnishes Japan's appeal for overseas hires

16 July 2024
The Marunouchi and Otemachi business districts in central Tokyo. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Opinion

Japan's M&A market thrives despite global deal downturn

International investors attracted by stable investment environment

16 July 2024
A lack of homegrown tech giants has contributed to Japan's "digital deficit": It imports far more digital services than it exports to the rest of the world.
Market Spotlight

Japan's love of Amazon Prime, YouTube Premium piles pressure on yen

'Digital deficit' drags down the country's trade balance

15 July 2024
The yen's spike against the dollar in recent days suggests one or two interventions by Japanese authorities, market watchers say.
Currencies

Yen's wild ride reflects Japan wage growth anxiety

Weak currency threatens to leave workers feeling no better off

14 July 2024
The yen's latest gains came after data showed that U.S. producer prices increased moderately in June. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Currencies

Yen hits 4-week high as intervention questions circulate

Move sparks speculation that Japanese officials propped up currency for 2nd day

13 July 2024
Japan's Ministry of Finance neither confirmed or denied foreign exchange market intervention on July 12. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Currencies

BOJ data hints at possible $22bn intervention on yen Thursday

Sharp rally in Japanese currency takes market players by surprise

12 July 2024