Economy

Currency traders had been watching for signs of another change to the Bank of Japan's yield curve control.
Currencies

Yen jumps to 2-week high against dollar as BOJ weighs policy change

Japanese currency regains 148 level on expectations of narrower rate gap

31 October 2023
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
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, behind the wheel, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, were all smiles in Riyadh. Companies from their countries signed dozens of business deals.
Business Spotlight

From EVs to digital, South Korea bags deals in tense Middle East

Hyundai, Naver join Yoon during his business-focused trip to Saudi Arabia and Qatar

27 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
The International Monetary Fund, in a recently released report, forecast that by the end of 2023, Japan's nominal GDP would be smaller than that of Germany, slipping into fourth place.
Economy

Japan's GDP to be overtaken by Germany in 2023, IMF forecasts

Dollar-denominated figures reflect Japan's long-term woes, worsened by weak yen

24 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
The Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, the third Bosporus bridge linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, is to have a railway added to increase freight transport capacity.
International relations

Turkey pushes $25bn Iraq transport route over India-Europe corridor

Minister says Israel-Hamas war shows 'security problems' with plan hatched at G20

20 October 2023
Russia's wheat exports have kept up with rising global demand, particularly from developing countries.
Commodities

Russia drives wheat prices to near 3-year low with export push

Bumper crop staves off supply fears but feeds concerns about overreliance

17 October 2023
Turkish and Japanese chairs of the Turkey-Japan Business Council sign a joint declaration after a meeting in Izmir on Oct. 10. (Courtesy of DEIK)
Trade

Japan Inc. calls for Turkey trade deal to be tied up

Ankara wants more concessions before committing

14 October 2023
World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg.
Interview

Climate action crucial to reducing poverty, World Bank official says

China's status could be discussed in next capital increase, van Trotsenburg says

13 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
The European Union is trying to balance the risks and rewards of Chinese involvement in key technological areas, including 5G and electric vehicles. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by AP and Getty)
Trade war

EU struggles to limit China's involvement in sensitive tech areas

Heavy reliance on Chinese trade and investment hinders 'de-risking' efforts

11 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
Workers at a copper smelting plant in Chile. The price of the commodity has tumbled to a four-month low on sluggish Chinese demand.
7 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
Russian dancers perform at a restaurant in the Chinese city of Manzhouli. (Photo by Shin Watanabe)
Trade

China border city thrives as trade with Russia booms

Exports passing through Manzhouli said to have doubled

4 October 2023