Japan Economics Update End of Yield Curve Control won’t spell fiscal disaster The abandonment of Yield Curve Control would probably prompt the Bank of Japan to reduce its bloated holdings of government bonds, which could push up long-term bond yields. However, there are good... 25th September 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Bank of Japan will call time on loose policy next year The Bank of Japan still sounded dovish when it kept policy settings unchanged today. But with inflation proving stickier than expected, we expect the Bank to lift its policy rate in January and have... 22nd September 2023 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Update BoJ policy rate will settle at 0% in the long run The wage-setting behaviour of Japanese firms has changed over the last couple of years and to reflect this we’re revising our long-run inflation forecast from 0.5% to 1.0%. However, that would still... 19th September 2023 · 3 mins read
FX Markets Update Another look at the renminbi, the yen & FX intervention While policymakers’ efforts to prop up the renminbi and the yen alone are not enough to generate a lasting turnaround, they will probably do enough to buy time until US interest rate expectations and... 15th September 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Is Japan experiencing greedflation? At first glance, the rise in corporate profits to a record-high last quarter suggests that greedy firms are driving up consumer prices. However, we still think that most of the increase in inflation... 5th September 2023 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Update Import cost lift to consumer prices has run its course We estimate that firms have now passed on all of the increase in import costs to consumer prices which suggests that inflation will slow sharply over the coming months. 22nd August 2023 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Update Fall in energy imports has further to run Most of the plunge in import volumes last quarter reflects lower energy imports. With the Ukraine war rekindling concerns about energy security and energy prices remaining stubbornly high, import... 15th August 2023 · 3 mins read
FX Markets Update Effective end of YCC adds to the case for a stronger yen The BoJ’s decision earlier today to, in effect, end its long-standing Yield Curve Control (YCC) policy means that long-term government bond yields in Japan will become more responsive to economic... 28th July 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Yield Curve Control is effectively over The Bank of Japan announced today that it will allow 10-year yields to rise above the 0.5% ceiling – which it says it is retaining – to a new “just-in-case” cap of 1.0%. With signs mounting of a... 28th July 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Core inflation still far lower than elsewhere Comparing the proper inflation gauges reveals that core inflation in Japan remains far lower than elsewhere. And with most of the recent pick-up in core inflation reflecting soaring imports costs, the... 26th July 2023 · 2 mins read
Japan Economics Update Weak yen won’t provide much boost to economy Last year’s sharp weakening of the yen hasn’t boosted goods exports, not least because most exports are invoiced in foreign currency and exporters haven’t slashed prices. Instead, it has lifted... 13th July 2023 · 4 mins read
FX Markets Update Intervention time: what next for the yen and the renminbi? China has stepped up its support of the renminbi and Japan appears to be edging closer to direct intervention to prop up the yen. While pressure from higher US interest rates may well continue in the... 7th July 2023 · 5 mins read
Japan Economics Update Fertiliser cost surge to unwind Processed food inflation hit a fresh high in May but the recent moderation in food import prices as well as likely declines in domestic fertiliser prices suggest it will soon start to moderate. 5th July 2023 · 3 mins read
Global Economics Update Hawkish tone at Sintra forum, particularly in Europe Central bankers have struck a hawkish tone at the ECB’s forum in Sintra this week, suggesting that rates haven’t yet peaked and cuts are not on the cards for some time. But there were some interesting... 29th June 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Friend-shoring picking up pace beneath the surface At first glance, there’s little sign of friend-shoring among Japanese firms as they have directed a rising share of their outward foreign direct investment at China. However, this largely reflects... 26th June 2023 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Update Female participation rate hasn’t peaked yet The female participation rate has surged over the past decade but more favourable attitudes among women towards paid employment suggest that it will keep rising for a while yet. Asia Drop-In (22nd... 19th June 2023 · 3 mins read
