A draft of the government's economic blueprint urges the Bank of Japan to align its decisions with Prime Minister Sanae ​Takaichi's drive to reflate growth.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 25, 2026
Japan’s government blueprint nudges BOJ to fuel demand, clouding rates path
The draft urges the Bank of Japan to align its decisions with Prime Minister Sanae ​Takaichi’s drive to reflate growth.
Bank of Japan board member Naoki Tamura is a widely known hawk on the board who frequently calls for interest rates to be raised to a more normal setting.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 25, 2026
Rate hikes needed every few months, hawkish BOJ board member says
While the remarks suggest another rate hike may come earlier than BOJ watchers expect, they also show there is some caution around raising rates again in July.
A draft by a tax panel calls for reducing the consumption tax rate to 1% for food for two years from April 2027.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 25, 2026
Interim draft on two-year food tax cut presented
The proposal calls for reducing the tax rate to 1% for food for two years from April 2027.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to put her stamp on Japan’s growth strategy as technological change and geopolitical tensions reshape economic priorities.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2026
Japan unveils $2.3 trillion investment plan for next 14 years
The roadmap marks a key step in Takaichi’s effort to put her stamp on Japan’s growth strategy as technological change and geopolitical tensions reshape economic priorities.
Li Qiang, China's premier, speaks at the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, on Wednesday, June 24.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2026
China unfazed by world’s ire on trade as premier touts openness
China’s widening trade surplus with major partners has come under increased scrutiny as policymakers around the world weigh fresh measures to counter a flood of exports.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 24, 2026
BOJ summary affirms rate hike stance as inflation risks mount
The summary came out as the yen remained close to the weakest level since 1986 against the dollar amid growing bets on the Federal Reserve raising rates this year.
The yen is near 39-year lows again and has been trading above ¥160 to the dollar for about a week.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jun 22, 2026
Yen continues to test fresh lows as Nikkei 225 hits new highs
Verbal intervention in the currency market has been more tempered than in the past.

Longform

The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival