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July 03, 2026
 

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BOJ

Trade minister Ryosei Akazawa said Bank of Japan policy could be used to strengthen the yen and curb rising prices, as the central bank considers a rate hike to counter inflation driven by the Iran war.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 12, 2026
BOJ policy to boost yen could be an option to curb inflation, minister says
The central bank weighs raising interest rates this month to ​counter inflation spurred by the Iran war.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring meetings signage outside the IMF headquarters in Washington on April 9.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 12, 2026
World finance chiefs head to IMF with a sense of deja vu
Ahead of the meetings IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned that the international community is becoming less able to respond to shocks.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda holds at news conferece in Tokyo on March 19.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 11, 2026
Bank of Japan wary of inflation pressure amid war in Middle East
The BOJ is expected to face difficulties steering its monetary policy, as raising interest rates to contain inflation could cool the economy.
The impact of the Middle East crisis on producer prices has begun to show itself in Japan as gasoline prices are on the rise amid higher crude oil prices.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 10, 2026
Producer prices in Japan rise 2.6% in March
The impact of the Middle East crisis on producer prices has begun to appear as gasoline prices are on the rise amid higher crude oil prices.
Japanese workers' base pay increased 3.3% in February, the largest gain in nearly 34 years.
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 8, 2026
Japan’s real wages rise most since 2021 to keep BOJ on hike path
The increase was 1.9% from a year earlier in February, marking a second straight monthly gain, the labor ministry reported Wednesday.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said she is in close contact with Group of Seven counterparts.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 7, 2026
Japanese bond rout continues, taking 10-year yields to a 27-year high
Fiscal worries and inflationary pressures are being made worse by the war in the Middle East and oil shortage concerns.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo. Recent commentary from the central bank suggests it doesn’t want to paint itself into a corner three weeks ahead of its next decision on April 28.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 6, 2026
BOJ keeps options open by citing dual risks in regional reports
Traders see a roughly 66% chance of a rate hike this month, according to pricing in the overnight swaps market, as the war in Iran could raise upside inflation risks for Japan.
The International Monetary Fund has urged the Bank of Japan to keep raising rates even as the war in Iran poses new risks.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 4, 2026
IMF urges BOJ to keep raising rates even as Iran war poses new risks
The proposal comes amid market expectations the BOJ ‌will raise ‌interest rates as soon as April in the face of mounting inflationary ​pressure.
A former Bank of Japan chief economist said the Iran war is increasing inflation risks, strengthening the case for a possible interest rate hike as early as this month.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 2, 2026
Former BOJ chief economist sees likelihood of April rate hike
Toshitaka Sekine, now an economics professor at Hitotsubashi University, thinks there are more upside risks for inflation.
The business sentiment index advanced in March to 17 from a revised 16 in the previous quarter, the Bank of Japan’s <i>tankan</i> business survey showed Wednesday.
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2026
Japan’s manufacturer mood improves, supporting BOJ’s rate stance
The business sentiment index advanced in March to 17 from a revised 16 in the previous quarter, the BOJ’s tankan business survey showed Wednesday.
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 1.7% in the capital from a year earlier in March, according to the internal affairs ministry.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 31, 2026
Tokyo inflation cools for now as BOJ monitors Mideast impact
Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 1.7% in the capital from a year earlier in March, marking the smallest increase since April 2024.
The latest Bank of Japan summary signals that the bank is worried about the upside inflation risks stemming from the escalating Middle East conflict.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 30, 2026
BOJ summary displays hawkish tilt with debate on size of hike
One member hinted at the possibility of a bigger rate hike than those recently undertaken due to the Middle East conflict.
Labor unions under Rengo have so far secured an average pay increase of 5.26% in wage negotiations with employers, according to an initial tally.
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 23, 2026
Japan’s key labor union wins wage hike topping 5% for third year
The development will likely keep the central bank on track for another interest rate hike in the coming months.
The U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of ​Canada on Wednesday both opted to hold interest rates steady, as did the Bank of Japan, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the central banks of Switzerland and Sweden on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 20, 2026
Central banks brace for war-led inflation and ‘stagflation’ risk
Policymakers are determined to rein ‌in prices without ‌derailing still-patchy economic growth, and to avoid a “stagflation” mix of recession and price surges.
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 19, 2026
BOJ stands pat amid growing Middle East uncertainty
The decision to maintain its policy rate at 0.75% was widely expected by the market and central bank watchers.
The Bank of Japan building in Tokyo. The House of Representatives has confirmed the government&#039;s nominations of 22 people at 11 institutions.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 19, 2026
Japan Lower House OKs two reflationists as BOJ policymakers
The House of Councillors is expected to confirm the batch of nominations on Monday.
Japan’s long-term growth will depend on leveraging its well-educated workforce, expanding digital capacity, and strengthening advanced sectors like AI and power semiconductors, while strategically investing in productivity.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 18, 2026
From stimulus to structure: Japan’s next economic agenda
With a shrinking population and a rapidly aging society, the country is moving away from the demand-deficient conditions that characterized much of the post-bubble era.
Yamano Music's main store in the Ginza district of Tokyo’s Chuo Ward is the most expensive commercial land site in Japan, according to data released Tuesday.
BUSINESS
Mar 17, 2026
Japan’s average land price rises for fifth straight year
The average land price in Japan as of Jan. 1 rose 2.8% from a year earlier, up for the fifth straight year, the land ministry said Tuesday.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo in January.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 17, 2026
BOJ likely to sit tight as Middle East conflict clouds economic outlook
Though a rate hike is unlikely this month, if the yen’s depreciation continues, pressure on the bank to act will likely grow at the next meeting in April.
Real wages increased 1.4% from a year earlier in January, the fastest increase since May 2021.
BUSINESS / Economy
Mar 9, 2026
Japan’s real wages advance for first time in 13 months
Real wages increased 1.4% from a year earlier in January, exceeding economists’ median forecast of a 0.9% gain, the labor ministry reported Monday.
Japan triples departure tax in push to combat overtourism
Tourists in Yanaka Ginza, Tokyo, on Wednesday. Japan tripled its International Tourist Tax (departure tax) to ¥3,000 from ¥1,000 on Wednesday for all travelers leaving Japan, regardless of nationality.
‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
A man orders from a kebab shop in the Okubo district in Tokyo.
More facilities in Japan placing sanitary bins in men’s restrooms
A sanitary bin with an awareness sticker placed in a men&#039;s restroom in the Nagasaki Municipal Government building
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.
Why is the yen so weak and what can Japan do about it?
Japan spent ¥11.7 trillion ($73 billion) between late April and late May to prop up the weak yen.
Six of the best: rikishi of note in each sumo division
Kazuma (right) faces off against future <i>yokozuna</i> Onosato during the All Japan Amateur Sumo Championships at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo in December 2020.
Some startups see opportunity in an aging Japan
Yasmin Baba, CTO of Amilis, wins the Grand Prize at the Pitch2Tokyo Grand Final on Feb. 19.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.
Inside Japan’s rigid adoption system, a British family finds a way
James Benstead, his wife, Jesse, and their three children. Their adopted son is in the rear stroller.

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