Japan Update

Japan Update: Ueda Tells Diet Policy Will Remain Accommodative Even After NIRP Ends

Ueda Tells Diet Policy Will Remain Accommodative Even After NIRP Ends
MoF’s Suzuki Warns Market After USDJPY Rises to 149
Japan’s National Debt Hits ¥1.29 Quadrillion

February 9, 2024

Japan Update: BoJ’s Uchida Moves Market With “Dovish” Speech

BoJ’s Uchida Moves Market With “Dovish” Speech
Real Wages Fall 2.5% in 2023

February 8, 2024

Japan Update: Food Price Inflation Seems to Have Peaked

Food Price Inflation Seems to Have Peaked
Higher Loan Spreads Boost Megabank Profits
Overseas Investors Shy Away from Japanese Real Estate in 2023
Kishida Submits List of LDP Members Who Violated Fundraising Rules

February 5, 2024

Japan Update: Wage Gains in Regions Lag Big Cities

Wage Gains in Regions Lag Big Cities
Regional Bank Shares Sold as BoJ Seen on Hold
Government Bond Expense Expected to Rise by 60% by FY 2027
Constitutional Democrats Seek to Oust LDP in Next General Election
Aozora Bank (8304) Plunges After US CRE Write-Down

February 2, 2024

Japan Update: BoJ Summary of Opinions Suggests NIRP End in April

BoJ Summary of Opinions Suggests NIRP End in April
Third “Stealth Tapering” by the BoJ?
January Consumer Confidence Improves
December Production Index Rises 1.8%
Regional Banks See Rising Loan Demand
Nippon Steel (5401) Raises Coil Prices
Opposition Delays Budget Debate Over Fundraising Scandal

January 31, 2024

Japan Update: Are Higher Wages a Cost or Investment in Human Capital?

Are Higher Wages a Cost or Investment in Human Capital?
Toyota Motor (7203) Labor Union Seeks ¥28,440 Wage Hike
BoJ Does Not Need to Wait for GDP Gap to Turn Positive
VCs Invest US$9.7 Billion in Japan During 2023
Kishida’s Approval Rating Remains Below 30% in All Polls
Ishiba Still Leads in Prime Minister Straw Poll

January 29, 2024

Japan Update: January Tokyo Core CPI Up 1.6%, First Time Below 2.0% Since May 2022

January Tokyo Core CPI Up 1.6%, First Time Below 2.0% Since May 2022
Kishida Officially Disbands Faction, Loses Support of Aso, Motegi Factions
Five Senior Abe Faction Members May Be Expelled From LDP
Average Price of New Condo in Tokyo Tops ¥100 Million
Japanese Ethylene Production Hits 35-Year Low as China Boosts Production
Small Increase in Japanese Machine Tool Orders Forecast for 2024
Japan’s Exports Hit Record ¥100 Trillion in 2023

January 26, 2024

Japan Update: BoJ Stands Pat, July Looking More Likely for End to NIRP

BoJ Stands Pat, July Looking More Likely for End to NIRP
Kishida Seeks to End Link Between Money and Position but Factions Remain

January 23, 2024

Japan Update: Abe, Nikai Factions Announce Intention to Dissolve

Abe, Nikai Factions Announce Intention to Dissolve

January 19, 2024

Japan Update: Investors Reluctant to Buy JGBs at Low Yields

Investors Reluctant to Buy JGBs at Low Yields
US-Japan Rate Spread Widens, USDJPY Rebounds
Banks Compete for Short-Term Time Deposits
November Machinery Orders Drop 4.9%
Kishida Announces Faction Will Be Disbanded, Pressure Increases on Abe Faction

January 18, 2024

Recent Publications

Japan Update: July Economy Watcher’s Index Falls

Ask Me Anything & Summary of Views with Julian Brigden – August 2022

Thoughts From The Divide – Releasing the Hounds

Japan Update: Japanese Electronic Parts Makers Report Higher Inventories

Macro Insiders: In Focus Trade Portfolio – August 2022

MI2 China Update: Pelosi’s Taiwan trip still on, despite China signaling a potential military response

Blog Posts

Macro Insiders: Deep Dive from Raoul – Here Comes the Sun

Japan Update: Market on Intervention High Alert as USDJPY Tops 155

Japan News Weekly Digest | 4/15 – 21

Precious Metals: Objectives and How We Get There