Currencies

30 October 2025
The Bank of Japan has delayed raising rates since its last hike in January, as the U.S. sharply raised tariffs and the Japanese public's frustration over higher prices grew. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, center left, sits across from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during their meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 27. (Pool photo)
International relations

Japan finance chief, Bessent discuss Russia energy sanctions in 1st talks

Katayama and US treasury secretary also cover Tokyo's $550bn pledge to Washington

28 October 2025
SMBC will be the first of Japan's three megabanks to end foreign exchange fees for deposits of U.S. dollars and some other currencies.
Finance

Japan's SMBC to end foreign-exchange fees for US dollar, euro deposits

Decision comes as retail customer portfolios expand to include other currencies

28 October 2025
JPYC CEO Noritaka Okabe speaks in Tokyo on Oct. 27. (Photo by Takanobu Aimatsu)
Cryptocurrencies

Yen-backed stablecoin marks 'turning point' in Japan, fintech CEO says

JPYC stablecoin reaches $98,000 in issuances during first three hours

28 October 2025
Hopes are high for newly inaugurated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to deliver an expansionary fiscal package to support growth. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Equities

Nikkei average hits 50,000 for 1st time on US-China deal, likely Fed cut

Yen trades around 153 per dollar, depreciating to all-time low against euro

27 October 2025
Takaichi vs. Ueda: While concerns over "the Trump tariffs" have somewhat eased, domestic politics are now creating complexities. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Suzuki, Seiko Ota and Akira Kodaka)
Trading Asia

BOJ early rate hike bets recede amid potential Trump, Takaichi impacts

Volatile yen and fragile US economy weigh on Japanese central bank decision

27 October 2025
While there may no longer be one single alternative to the greenback, a combination that also includes gold and crypto is good enough for many investors.
Opinion

Trump wants a weaker dollar, but America benefits from its strength

A weaker dollar, conversely, would allow emerging economies to adopt more stimulative fiscal policies

24 October 2025
Prices in Indonesia rose by 2.65% in September, up from 2.31% in August but within the central bank's target range of 1.5% to 3.5%.
Markets

Bank Indonesia keeps its policy rate unchanged for first time in 4 months

Decision comes amid growing concerns over the central bank's independence

22 October 2025
Investor anxiety has started to ease as the odds seem to favor LDP chief Sanae Takaichi becoming the country's new leader. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Equities

Japan stocks soar 3% to record high as 'Takaichi trade' reboots

LDP leader closer to becoming prime minister; US credit fears ease

20 October 2025
Wealthy investors in Asia, sitting on piles of cash built up since the pandemic, are looking to hedge their bets, shifting their assets out of U.S. equities and into the Chinese stock market and gold. (Nikkei illustration)
Trading Asia

Wealthy Asians raise exposure to China, fixed-income, gold as trade war rages

Region is home to the world's second-largest group of ultrawealthy investors

20 October 2025
The yen on Oct. 17 was reversing its weakness from the previous week, when expectations that Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of Japan's ruling party, would push for looser monetary policy. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Yen strengthens past 149.50 per dollar amid US credit woes

US Treasury's Bessent says yen will settle at fair level if BOJ takes right steps

17 October 2025
Some dealers have stopped selling 50-gram bars because their production cannot keep up with demand. (Photo by Miki Kamiyama)
Commodities

Gold bars for Japan retail investors sell out as prices soar

Weak yen pushes people to safe haven asset, expecting even further increases

16 October 2025
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, left, could move to raise interest rates over the misgivings of Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. (Source photographs obtained by Nikkei)
Comment

BOJ winter rate hike still a possibility despite political turmoil

Inflation fueled by currency depreciation remains risk to Japan's economy

15 October 2025
The Japanese currency surged against U.S. dollar following President Donald Trump's comment threatening to increase tariffs on Chinese goods. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Yen spikes after Trump threatens higher China tariffs

US stock indexes fall sharply as president says 'no reason to meet with Xi'

11 October 2025
Japan's ruling coalition breakup comes less than a week after Sanae Takaichi's victory in an LDP leadership election. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Equities

Japan stock futures extend losses to 2% after ruling coalition splits

Ruling coalition to end quarter-century-old alliance over slush funds scandal

10 October 2025
Despite some positive economic data, investors have backpedaled on their expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates soon. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Yen dips to 153; analysts expect further fall as Takaichi's time nears

Weak yen boosts stocks to record high but fiscal worries weigh on currency

9 October 2025
A Reuters poll showed that 19 economists out of 26 expected the Bank of Thailand to cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25% in order to boost the fragile economy. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Markets

Thai central bank stands pat at new governor's first meeting

Bank of Thailand maintains leeway for future easing amid deflation, baht strength

8 October 2025
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Oct. 8 interest rate decision went against 15 of 26 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll. 
Economy

NZ central bank cuts rates by more than expected, flags further easing

Benchmark interest rate drops 50 basis points, offering some relief to nation's PM

8 October 2025
The yen has tumbled since Sanae Takaichi's victory in the leadership race for Japan's Liberal Democratic Party. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Currencies

Yen drops to 7-month low on fiscal concerns

Presumptive PM Takaichi seen pushing aggressive spending to boost economy

8 October 2025
Market moves reflect investor expectations that new Liberal Democratic Party president Sanae Takaichi would likely delay the central bank’s next rate hike and adopt an expansionary fiscal policy. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Marina Inoue and Akira Kodaka)
Bonds

Japan long-end bond selloff seen rocking global markets

30-year JGB yields looking 'increasingly more attractive' than Treasurys: Swiss bank CIO

7 October 2025
Sanae Takaichi's victory in Saturday's Liberal Democratic Party presidential election rocked markets as investors returned from the weekend. (Photo by Hazumu Urushiyama)
Equities

Japan stocks hit record high, yen falls on pro-stimulus Takaichi's victory

JGB yield curve steepens; investors bet on new LDP leader's economic policies

6 October 2025
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, poses in the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election October 4, 2025.  (Photo by Ken Suzuki) 
Japan leadership race

Japan's Sanae Takaichi: National security hawk and Abenomics torchbearer

New party leader is a fiscal dove and disciple of late PM Shinzo Abe

4 October 2025
Tokyo's unexpectedly stable inflation has led some investors to believe that the Bank of Japan is in no hurry to raise interest rates. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Yen dips to 2-month low against dollar as investors bet on longer BOJ pause

Expectations of Fed interest rate cut also fall after GDP and jobs numbers

26 September 2025
The yuan has appreciated by nearly 4% against the dollar since April.
Currencies

China's yuan surges to 10-month high against dollar as US tensions ease

Chinese authorities signal tolerance for stronger currency as economy remains resilient

26 September 2025
New measures seek to deepen international participation in China's bond market via Hong Kong.
Bonds

China unveils new steps to boost offshore yuan market in Hong Kong

PBOC outlines measures to deepen cross-border bond investment, expand hedging tools

25 September 2025
The yen has weakened across a broad swath of currencies other than the U.S. dollar. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Currencies

Yen slumps across currencies beyond dollar amid carry trade comeback

Low interest rates, political uncertainty fuel selling pressure against euro, pound

24 September 2025
Japanese fixed-income buyers are now thinking with "more of a global perspective than they might have done in the past,” according to Aviva Investors' Fraser Lundie. (Source photos by Aviva Investors)
Interview

Japanese institutions move beyond yield hunting: Aviva Investors

Short-dated, high-quality credit preferred over developed market sovereign bonds

23 September 2025
Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, left, is seen as more likely to improve Japan's public finances, while former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, center, favors expansionary fiscal policy. Analysts expect a muted market reaction if Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, right, wins. (Source photos by Ken Suzuki, Uichiro Kasai)
Japan leadership race

Japan financial markets weigh impact of LDP leadership race

Koizumi seen buoying yen, while Takaichi would provide potential tailwind for stocks

23 September 2025
While the strong baht boosts Thailand's purchasing power, it also increases the cost of investing in Thailand. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kosaku Mimura and Rie Ishii)
Trading Asia

Strong baht looms over Thailand's new PM, incoming central bank chief

Nation alarmed by Vietnam's dong weakness edge driving down Thai exports and tourism

22 September 2025
A shop in Jakarta that deals in gold jewelry sees a steady flow of customers. (Photo by Tomoyoshi Oshikiri)
Commodities

Gold bug bites Indonesia as flight to safety goes mainstream

Precious metal emerges as alternative haven asset to US dollar for individuals

21 September 2025