BOJ chief-to-be answers to lawmakers as Japan prices soar
February 24, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Consumer prices in Japan jumped in January by the most in more than 41 years, the government reported Friday, adding to pressure on the central bank to adjust its longstanding ultra-lax monetary policy.
Asian shares edge higher, tracking Wall Street rally
January 27, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares advanced Friday, tracking a rally on Wall Street following reports suggesting the economy and corporate profits may be doing better than feared.
In Tokyo, data showed the core consumer price index was up 4.3%, slightly higher than expected at 4.2%, and higher than the Bank of Japan’s target of 2%.
Japan reports inflation hit 4%, 41-year high in December
January 20, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's consumer inflation rate hit a 41-year high of 4% in December, as prices for everything from burgers to gas surged.
That rate is still relatively low, compared to some other nations, including the U.S.
How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday 1/18/2023
January 18, 2023 GMTWall Street had its biggest pullback of the year as a January market rally sputtered.
Technology stocks led the way lower, including a 1.9% drop in Microsoft after the tech titan joined others in its industry in announcing layoffs.
Asian markets mostly higher, tracking Wall Street gains
January 13, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares advanced Friday in Asia after news that U.S. consumer inflation slowed last month pushed Wall Street benchmarks higher.
Asian shares higher in thin holiday trading
December 26, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares rose Monday in Asia in thin post-Christmas holiday trading, with markets in Europe, some Asian cities and the U.S. closed.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index gained 0.7% to 26,405.87 and the Kospi in Seoul added 0.2% to 2,317.14.
Asian shares mixed as recession worries temper Wall St gains
December 21, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mixed in Asia on Wednesday after a modestly higher close on Wall Street as concerns over pressures on global growth tempered gains in the absence of major data releases.
In a surprise move, Bank of Japan loosens bond yield cap
December 20, 2022 GMTThe Bank of Japan broadened caps for a benchmark government bond yield, a surprise move that pushed bond yields higher globally and dinged stocks in Asia.
The central bank on Tuesday said that it would allow the yield curve on the 10-year Japanese Government Bond to range 50 basis points either side of its 0% target, up from the previous cap of 25 basis points.
Asian shares track Wall St gains on cooler inflation data
December 14, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Stocks rose Wednesday in Asia after a rally on Wall Street spurred by news that inflation in the U.S. cooled more than expected last month.
The 7.1% consumer price index reading for November raised hopes Tuesday for easing pressure on the economy ahead of an interest rate policy update from the U.S.
Japan’s economy shrank less in July-Sept, revised data show
December 8, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s economy contracted less than previously thought in the last quarter, weathering the country's latest big COVID wave with less damage than had been thought.
The Cabinet Office reported Thursday that the economy shrank at a 0.8% annual rate in July-September.
Asian shares mostly lower as Japan preps massive stimulus
October 28, 2022 GMTShares were mostly lower in Asia on Friday after a mixed session on Wall Street, where tech sector losses offset gains in other parts of the market.
Tokyo’s benchmark slipped as the government was preparing about $490 billion in stimulus spending to help the world’s No.
EXPLAINER: What’s up with the Bank of Japan’s unique track?
October 27, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Even as the Federal Reserve and the world’s other central banks raise interest rates to try to curb inflation, the Bank of Japan has stood firm.
Since 2016, Japan's key interest rate has been minus 0.1%.
Japan’s imports, exports balloon on energy costs, cheap yen
October 20, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan marked a trade deficit for the 14th month in a row, government data showed Thursday, with exports and imports ballooning to record highs, as the declining value of the yen added to the soaring costs of imported energy, food and other goods.
Weak yen, higher costs weigh on Japan business sentiment
October 3, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Business sentiment among large manufacturers worsened for the third straight quarter, a Bank of Japan survey showed Monday, as the world's third largest economy grapples with rising costs, a weakening currency and slowing global demand.
Japan central bank acts to stem yen’s decline against dollar
September 22, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s central bank took the unusual step Thursday of intervening in the market to stem the yen’s decline against the U.S. dollar.
Earlier in the day, the dollar rose to nearly 146 yen — a 24-year low — after the Bank of Japan left its key lending rate unchanged following the U.S.
Asia shares slip on inflation, China fears despite US rally
July 21, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly slipped Thursday as optimism over earnings was tempered by persistent concerns about inflation and the Chinese economy, despite an overnight rally on Wall Street.
Eyes are on the Bank of Japan, set to wrap up a two-day policy meeting, although analysts expect no major changes.
Asian shares mostly higher after wobbly day on Wall Street
April 28, 2022 GMTAsian shares logged moderate gains on Thursday after Wall Street stabilized following a sell-off in tech stocks the day before.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 1% to 26,642.88 after the Bank of Japan wrapped up a policy meeting with no major changes, maintaining its near-zero interest rate stance despite a sharp weakening of the yen against the dollar and rising costs for many imported commodities.
Asian shares slip as Japan ‘tankan’ shows weaker outlook
April 1, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Friday as a resurgence of Russian attacks dashed hopes for any quick end to the war in Ukraine.
The retreat followed a broad decline on Wall Street, which closed out its worst quarter since the pandemic broke out two years ago.
Japan’s central bank offers bond purchases to keep rates low
February 14, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Bank of Japan made an offer for unlimited government bond purchases Monday, moving to curb a surge in long-term interest rates in the world's third-largest economy.
Japan’s central bank set the interest rate for purchasing 10-year government bonds at 0.25%.
Inflation a worry for most economies, but not Japan
December 17, 2021 GMTSurging prices are haunting consumers and confounding economic planners in the U.S. and other countries, but not in Japan, where sparking inflation has proven an elusive goal.
While the Federal Reserve and most other central banks are shifting into inflation-fighting mode, the Bank of Japan on Friday said it would scale back corporate bond purchases to pre-pandemic levels.
Japan ‘tankan’ survey shows manufacturers upbeat on outlook
October 1, 2021 GMTBusiness sentiment among Japanese manufacturers has risen to its highest level in nearly three years, according to a quarterly survey by the central bank.
The results of the Bank of Japan's “tankan” survey, released Friday, found sentiment among large manufacturers rose to 18 from 14.
Shortages, shipping, shutdowns hit Asian factory output
October 1, 2021 GMTShortages of power, computer chips and other parts, soaring shipping costs and shutdowns of factories to battle the pandemic are taking a toll on Asian economies.
While business sentiment is improving in some parts of Asia as governments begin easing restrictions put in place to curb coronavirus infections, there is mounting evidence that such disruptions are slowing a return to business as usual.
Asian shares skid after S&P 500 logs 1st monthly drop of ’21
October 1, 2021 GMTAsian markets tumbled Friday on the tail of Wall Street’s worst monthly loss since the beginning of the pandemic.
Tokyo skidded 2% and Australia’s benchmark sank 2.3%. Markets in Shanghai and Hong Kong were closed for holidays.
Asian shares mostly rise as markets digest Fed moves
June 18, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Friday, as investors digested the latest message from the U.S. Federal Reserve on raising short-term interest rates by late 2023.
Japan's benchmark added 0.3% in morning trading to 29,108.23.