Economy

Companies hold around 10% of Japanese stocks, less than one-fifth as much as in the bubble era, according to the Nomura Institute of Capital Markets Research. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Equities

Japan Inc. speeds unwinding of cross-held shares amid rally

Planned consolidation of Topix based on free float encourages stock sales

23 July 2024
The number of supposedly zero-energy homes that do not fully meet the qualifying criteria continues to increase in Japan, driven by the government's relaxation of subsidy standards aimed at encouraging their construction.
Datawatch

Over 30% of Japan's zero-energy homes fall short of requirements

An increase in below-standard houses could hamper its decarbonization efforts

20 July 2024
Small businesses in Japan are under pressure from rising costs. (Photo by Shotaro Mori)
Companies

Japan's century-old companies suffer 95% surge in bankruptcies

Inflation and succession problems deal blow to longtime businesses

20 July 2024
Tourists watch Yamahoko, the float parade of Kyoto's Gion Festival, on July 17. (Photo by Atsushi Ooka) 
Travel & Leisure

Japan's tourist arrivals at record high, recovering from pandemic drop

Half-year total reaches 17 million, driven by visitors from South Korea and China

19 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
Japan's June consumer price index rise reflects the end of government subsidies for electricity and gas introduced in 2023. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Inflation

Japan's inflation rate rose for second consecutive month in June

Core CPI gained 2.6%, above BOJ target, as subsidies for electricity rolled back

19 July 2024
Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting participants pose during their summit in Tokyo on July 18. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Indo-Pacific

Japan, Pacific islands to boost security ties as China's influence grows

Summit cites 'increasing complexity' of geopolitics, though views of Beijing differ

18 July 2024
A container terminal at the Port of Tokyo. Japan's total exports in June were up 5.4% from a year earlier, according to preliminary official figures. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Trade

Japan's exports grew for seventh straight month in June

Overseas shipments rose 5.4%, led by semiconductor equipment; imports also up 3.2%

18 July 2024
The Japanese unit of credit card giant Visa is suspected of charging higher fees to credit card companies that did not use its network to check credit information. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Economy

Japan unit of credit card giant Visa suspected of unfair practice

Fair Trade Commission conducts inspection at company's Tokyo office

17 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
Rishi Sunak has stepped down as British prime minister since the Group of Seven summit in Italy in June. U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida face elections later this year.
Comment

From U.S. to Japan, unpopular leaders cast shadow on global economy

Reform, not protectionism, is key as political headwinds mount

15 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
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
Japanese shares have been on a roll in recent months, firing up interest from overseas investors. (Photo by Jo Miyaguchi)
11 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
At Fukuoka Airport serving southwest Japan, five airlines have cancelled plans to add more flights due to the nationwide fuel shortage. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
Transportation

Japan plans for more tankers, imports to tackle jet fuel shortage

Transport ministry set to take action as regional airports struggle to add routes

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
Containers sit at a port in the Japanese city of Fukuoka. China provides the majority of Japanese imports for many types of consumer and industrial goods. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Trade

Japan relies on China, other single import partners for 40% of goods

The ratio is far above U.S. or G7 as the nation lags in diversification

10 July 2024
Japan's economy shrank an annualized 0.1% in May, according to the Japan Center for Economic Research. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
Economy

Japan's May GDP shrank 0.1% on weak consumption: JCER

Economy falls into contraction for the first time in four months

9 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