author

 
 

Meta

Toru Fujioka
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Oct 21, 2022
Violent market swings await day the BOJ’s yield anchor lifts
For now, most economists expect BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda to stick with yield-curve control, until he steps down in April, even as the yen slides.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 14, 2022
Japan keeps up yen warnings, declines to say if intervened
The currency fell to u00a5147.67 per dollar, the weakest since August 1990, before bouncing back in choppy trading.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 12, 2022
BOJ’s Kuroda vows to keep easing to back still-recovering economy
Wages need to increase much more to achieve Japan’s price-stability target, Kuroda said at event in Washington on Wednesday.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 7, 2022
Failure to hit price goal may trigger BOJ shift, former director says
Ex-BOJ executive thinks there is a considerable chance that in a year or so the BOJ’s topic of discussion will shift to when the price target can really be achieved.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 30, 2022
Japan spent ¥2.84 trillion in September intervention to prop up yen
Despite an initial gain of more than 3.5% in the yen against the dollar, the surprise move hasn’t reversed the currency’s weakening trend.
BUSINESS
Sep 30, 2022
Kishida orders stimulus as analysts warn of overspending
The measures will tackle price rises, encourage pay increases and speed up Kishida’s drive to transform capitalism in Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 27, 2022
BOJ chief Haruhiko Kuroda backs intervention while stressing need for easing
The government’s action last week came almost directly after the BOJ’s ultralow rates stance fueled further yen weakening, triggering doubt over the authorities’ unified stance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 21, 2022
BOJ’s Kuroda set to risk further yen weakening after Fed decision
A key focus of a BOJ meeting ending Thursday will be if it changes its forward guidance, as it’s widely expected to end its COVID funding program.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Sep 16, 2022
Japan’s contradictory stance leaves yen at risk of further slide
This week, as the finance minister was warning he would step into markets to shore up the yen if needed, the BOJ was boosting bond purchases to keep yields low.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 16, 2022
BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda seen sitting tight even after jumbo Fed hike
Most BOJ watchers are convinced Kuroda won’t raise rates to cool the rapid weakening of the yen.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2022
BOJ could normalize policy in mid-2023, ex-board member says
Views on Japan’s inflation dynamics are shifting among some experts after more than a decade of deflation and price weakness.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 6, 2022
BOJ should look at exit steps while holding policy, former official says
‘This isn’t the time for a drastic rate hike, so there is a limit on what the BOJ can do now,” Yuri Okina has said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / ANALYSIS
Sep 2, 2022
Yen at ¥140 piles pressure on Japan’s unified policy front
As angst among households and businesses continues to rise over soaring energy and import costs, cracks may begin to emerge in the united front the government and BOJ have so far shown.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2022
Japan will monitor China, new economic security minister says
Sanae Takaichi, known for her hawkish stance toward Japan’s powerful neighbor, took her post this month amid increasing government awareness of economic security.
BUSINESS
Aug 29, 2022
Fed chairman’s hawkish stance causes headaches for Kuroda as yen falls
The yen fell to a five-week low Monday morning, after Jerome Powell warned against prematurely loosening policy in his speech at the Jackson Hole retreat.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 25, 2022
Bank of Japan chief would hold easing policy even if inflation hits 3%, survey shows
Most analysts said that a further acceleration to 3%, the highest since 1991 excluding tax-hike years, wouldn’t increase the likelihood of policy change before Kuroda’s term ends in April.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 30, 2022
Bank of Japan’s deputy chief expects stronger wage growth next year
The comment is likely to keep speculation smoldering of policy adjustments after Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda steps down.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 29, 2022
BOJ members warn of global slowdown and urge stimulus stay in place
Unlike the U.S. and Europe, Japan’s economy remains smaller than its pre-COVID-19 level and the latest projections suggest it will remain so this year.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jul 26, 2022
Japan’s deeper inflation trend shows price growth spreading
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly emphasized the need for sustainable inflation before he considers adjusting his easing stance.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 19, 2022
Bank of Japan chief determined to maintain stimulus as world tightens
Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda is in no mood to give up on stimulus and his ultraloose monetary policy, according to people familiar with the matter.

Longform

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