Economy

The BOJ hopes to deter speculators from targeting the ceiling it has set on Japanese government bond yields, sparing itself the need to buy droves of JGBs. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Bank of Japan

BOJ to tweak policy again to allow 10-year yields to exceed 1%

Central bank to also take a more flexible stance on JGB-buying operations

30 October 2023
If the world decoupled into two trading blocs, the fall in global GDP would be like "losing the whole of the economy of Japan," said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. (Photo by Shigeru Seno)
Interview

WTO chief warns on 'very costly' fragmentation of global economy

War between Israel and Hamas is potential impact, Okonjo-Iweala points out

30 October 2023
As workers continue to struggle with inflation and technological innovations at work, the number of days lost to work stoppages has soared in the U.S. and the U.K.
Datawatch

Strikes hit U.S. and Europe as workers worry about job security

Concerns grow over persistent inflation and the threat of AI in the workplace

29 October 2023
The Israel-Hamas war and growing U.S. government debt are contributing to a rise in gold prices. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Commodities

Gold rebounds to $2,000 amid Israel-Hamas war, U.S. debt turmoil

Investors flee to safe-haven metal even as interest rates rise

27 October 2023
Japan's economy minister proposed a new working group with the U.S. and the EU on subsidies and procurement. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Interview

Japan eyes joint EV, chip subsidy rules with U.S., Europe: official

Economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura urges cooperation to avoid protectionism

24 October 2023
Countries are trading with a less diverse group amid geopolitical divides and economic security concerns. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Trade war

Global trade divides deepen amid push for friendshoring

Political and economic security worries lead to concentration of partners

24 October 2023
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks at an event in Tokyo commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Japan-China bilateral peace and friendship treaty. (Photo by Yutaka Miyaguchi)
International relations

Japan-China friendship pact's 45th year marred by fresh tensions

Business community calls for top-level bilateral dialogue at anniversary event

24 October 2023
Wendy Cutler, former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, speaks at the Mount Fuji Dialogue in Tokyo on Oct. 21. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)
International relations

U.S. tech export curbs may not fit Japan's interests: former trade official

Security experts highlight 'challenges' in coordinating action against China

21 October 2023
A wind farm in California. Efforts to fight climate change have relied heavily on subsidies and other government support.
Economy

Sustainable climate policies must go beyond spending: IMF official

Carbon pricing should be at center of a 'smart' policy mix, Gaspar says

12 October 2023
Tractors unload sugar cane into a truck during a harvest in Brazil.
Commodities

Global sugar, rubber prices soar on crude oil's climb

Effects ripple through markets as speculators bet on increased ethanol demand

12 October 2023
People wait to board trains at the Shanghai Hongqiao railway station ahead of the National Day holiday in Shanghai.
Economy

China growth forecasts downgraded by IMF as world economies diverge

India and other emerging Asia markets lead in growth while Japan's outlook improves

10 October 2023
Further yen depreciation against the dollar could spark renewed inflation in Japan after a period of falling import prices.
Currencies

Japan hints that even slow yen sell-off may trigger intervention

Tokyo seen taking broader view of 'excessive volatility' on inflation fears

5 October 2023
Shoppers stroll down Fifth Ave. in New York City. A sharp drop in demand would undermine the soft-landing scenario for the U.S. economy.
Economy

U.S. faces stagflation risk in 2024: Eurasia Group economist

Robert Kahn warns of possible downturn exacerbated by China and oil prices

4 October 2023
A Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone at the company's flagship store in Beijing on Sept. 25: At the core of the handset are 7-nm microchips made by SMIC.
Opinion

U.S. regulators made Huawei's chip 'breakthrough' possible

SMIC exploited loose licensing and poor standards but still faces limits

4 October 2023
The overall value of the dollar has risen 3.7% since March 2022, according to a Nikkei index.
Currencies

Strong dollar draws investors as U.S. real interest rates soar

Greenback steals yen trade from Aussie dollar, other high-yield favorites

4 October 2023
Few big mergers took place in April to September in Europe, other than L'Oreal's purchase of Aesop. 
Business deals

Global M&As slow as central banks tighten monetary policy

Japan bucks trend with 16% rise in April-September on BOJ's easy stance

3 October 2023
Weakening demand on top of high supply is weighing on U.S. corn prices.
Commodities

U.S. corn prices slump as top buyer China turns to Brazil

Beijing's push for food security boosts imports from South American country

30 September 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in August: The challenges and opportunities of this century require a strong alliance between the two countries.
Opinion

With shared values, Japan and U.S. can lead way on challenges

Strong alliance can advance cause of free trade and open markets

29 September 2023
With the Fed signaling interest rates will remain higher for longer, conditions will continue to favor a strong dollar, currency watchers say.
Currencies

Yen intervention watch redoubles after Fed, BOJ meetings

Currency under pressure with Japan-U.S. yield gap at 10-month high

25 September 2023
Canadian ambassador to Japan Ian McKay sits for an interview Sept. 15 in Tokyo. (Photo by Anna Nishino)
Interview

Canada to support Japan's EV battery supply chain: diplomat

Ambassador McKay says government will facilitate access to critical minerals

23 September 2023
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with China's Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing in July.
US-China tensions

U.S., China to launch economic and finance working groups

Dialogue forum established to avoid unexpected clashes

22 September 2023
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, left, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva review an honor guard at the Revolution Palace during the G77+China summit in Havana on Sept. 16.
International relations

G77+China: Latin America's leftists pursue solidarity with Beijing

Cuba summit lets emerging countries bond in America's backyard over economics

18 September 2023
The Lehman Brothers building in New York on Sept. 15, 2008 and Akio Katsuragi, who was president of the bank's Japanese arm at the time. (Source photos by Reuters and Satoko Kawasaki)
Comment

Bubble trouble: Ex-Lehman Japan chief looks back for lessons

Human greed inflates economic bubbles, says Akio Katsuragi

17 September 2023
The prospect of deflation, after decades of rapid expansion, has loomed over the world's second-biggest economy since July's consumer prices reverse.
Asia Insight

China deflation dread stalks property trade, struggling firms

Summer CPI gloom leaves consumers, markets bracing for impact of weak demand

12 September 2023
Washington has stepped up its screenings of foreign direct investments in U.S. sectors deemed significant to national security.
International relations

Japan investors in U.S. tech face tougher scrutiny over China ties

Country leads CFIUS filings for critical technology acquisitions in 2022

1 September 2023