Japanese currency officials have declined to comment on whether they intervened to prop up the weak yen. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Yen's volatility sparks intervention suspicion after U.S. CPI data

Nikkei average falls more than 1,000 points, partly due to Japanese currency's surge

12 July 2024
The forex move was likely triggered by options-related activity following the consumer price report.
Currencies

Dollar drops, yen surges as U.S. consumer prices fall in June

Japanese currency's gains spark speculation of possible forex intervention

12 July 2024
The Bank of Japan's next policy meeting starts on July 30. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
Bonds

Japan rate rise speculation grows as overseas investors await BOJ

Weak yen seen forcing central bank's hand on early hike

11 July 2024
The headquarters of the Bank of Japan in Tokyo.
Opinion

BOJ needs to remove the straitjacket of its hard 2% inflation target

Central bank should adopt a more balanced approach to its monetary policy

10 July 2024
The yen has weakened past 160 per dollar due in large part to currency pressures posed by the new NISA program. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Japan households' offshore investments top trade deficit, weakening yen

NISA tax-free scheme drives record purchases of overseas assets

9 July 2024
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda speaks during a ceremony on the day of the new notes of 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen went into circulation, at the BOJ headquarters in Tokyo on July 3. (Pool photo)
Currencies

Cash-loving Japan redesigns banknotes for first time in two decades

Bills embrace cutting-edge tech in a world first, are clearer to non-Japanese

3 July 2024
Japan's redesigned yen notes are the first in the world to adopt 3D holograms as an anticounterfeit measure. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Currencies

Japan rolls out new banknotes, with 90% of bank ATMs ready

Bills feature 3D holograms, other latest anticounterfeit measures

3 July 2024
Japan's new Nippon Individual Savings Accounts (NISA) program kicked off in January. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
Equities

Foreign equity investments via new NISA likely hit record in June: Nomura

Japan retail investors shifting money into foreign equities is weighing on yen

2 July 2024
South Korea hopes the longer forex trading hours will help it earn developed-market status from the MSCI, and to join FTSE Russell’s World Government Bond Index.
Currencies

South Korea extends won trading hours for overseas investors

Around 30 international banks taking part in initiative

1 July 2024
Currency headwinds are bearing down on Japanese stocks.
Equities

Japan stocks lose steam as global money pulls back

Hopes for post-deflation growth take hit from weak yen in Q2

30 June 2024
Imported foods such as U.S. beef for gyudon beef bowls, center, are becoming more expensive for Japan's companies and consumers. (Source photos by Nikkei)
Currencies

Yen's purchasing power hits all-time low, at one-third of peak

Japanese households see annual costs rise $560 on costlier food and energy

29 June 2024
Atsushi Mimura is set to take over as Japan's top currency diplomat at the end of July. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Currencies

Japan appoints Atsushi Mimura as top currency diplomat as yen falls

Director-general of international bureau will replace Masato Kanda on July 31

28 June 2024
The Japanese government is thought to have spent around 8 trillion yen ($49.9 billion) in total in late April and early May to halt the yen’s decline. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Analysts expect next Japan forex intervention around 165

Tokyo awaiting May U.S. inflation data on Friday: Mizuho

27 June 2024
"We will firmly respond to moves that are too rapid or driven by speculators," Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, said on June 24. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
Currencies

Yen slides under 160 to lowest level since 1986; Japan stocks fall

Drop stokes expectations for government and BOJ to step in again

27 June 2024
Some Hong Kong-listed companies are opting for financing in yuan in pursuit of lower interest rates.
Currencies

Hong Kong-listed companies slash dollar borrowings in favor of yuan

Snack maker Want Want China cuts greenback funding by over 90% for lower rates

27 June 2024
Foreign investors are overwhelmingly predicting a softer yuan by the year-end, as expectations for a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut scale back.
Market Spotlight

Weakening yuan could be what China needs, but not what it wants

China's yuan hits 7-month low in 'complex environment'

24 June 2024
Hiroshi Watanabe doesn't see the yen appreciating beyond 150 against the dollar this year. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Interview

Yen's slide only partly due to U.S. rate gap: ex-Japan currency official

Job-creating manufacturers key to strong currency, Hiroshi Watanabe says

23 June 2024
Indonesian rupiah recently fell to 16,415 against the dollar, the lowest in four years and two months. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Indonesia maintains key interest rate at 6.25% as rupiah slumps

Lack of change comes as inflation stays within central bank's target range

20 June 2024
The yen has weakened past the 200 mark against the pound to a roughly 16-year low. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)
Currencies

Yen sell-off broadens with fresh lows against U.K. pound, Swiss franc

Japan currency weakens amid limited intervention impact outside of dollar

20 June 2024
Japan's new Taigei class "great whale" submarine. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Defense

Japan defense spending plan takes 30% hit from weak yen

Loss of purchasing power may force changes to procurement levels

18 June 2024
A currency trader in Mumbai: Despite Asian economies' robust external balances, going against strong market forces can lead to significant currency pain. 
Opinion

Asia can bear with 'higher-for-longer' U.S. rates

Pragmatic central bankers and resilient fundamentals curb risk of capital flight

17 June 2024
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has left open the possibility of the BOJ choosing a rate increase and a balance sheet reduction at the same time in July. (Photo by Akitoshi Sugiura)
Bank of Japan

BOJ leaves open possibility of rate hike, bond buy reductions in July

Governor Ueda expects "sizable" reductions in bond purchases

14 June 2024
The yen dropped to its lowest point since April 29, the day the government and the central bank likely intervened to prop up the currency for the first time in a year and half. (Photo by Yuji Murakami)
Currencies

Yen weakens as BOJ gives no details on JGB purchase cut

Japanese currency falls to level not seen since late-April intervention

14 June 2024
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks at a news conference on June 12, following its announcement that the Fed left interest rates unchanged.
Currencies

Asian currencies pare gains after U.S. CPI, Fed meeting

Yen climbs to 155 range at one point; investors turn to BOJ

13 June 2024
The Japanese flag waves at the Bank of Japan building in Tokyo.
Interview

Japan market interventions will not work forever: Kenneth Rogoff

Harvard economist sees need for BOJ to raise interest rates to 1% to 2%

12 June 2024