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☆ Dollar holds its ground as key inflation data looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 15, 2023. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar slowly inched up after it fell more than 3% last week, its biggest weekly percentage drop since early December 2022. Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda on Thursday reiterated a warning that Tokyo is ready to take action in the currency market. The dollar index rose to 0.05% to 105.55, while the Japanese yen was mostly flat at 155.59 per greenback. The BOE is likely to take another step towards its first interest rate cut in four years as inflation falls.

Persons: Masafumi Yamamoto, Masato Kanda, Susan Collins, Sterling, BOE, bitcoin Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of, Mizuho Securities, Traders, PPI, Fed Bank of Boston, European Central Bank Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Japan, U.S, United States, Tokyo, —

☆ Japan's yakuza — once powerful organized crime figures — are reduced to stealing Pokémon cards
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Tokyo police arrested a yakuza boss, accusing him of stealing Pokémon cards. Anti-gang laws and lower profits have made yakuza membership less appealing to younger Japanese. AdvertisementTokyo Metropolitan Police last week arrested an executive of the Takinogawa gang, a faction of Japan's second-most powerful organized crime syndicate — the Sumiyoshi-kai. Police accuse him of stealing Pokémon cards. Yakuza are members of organized crime syndicates, the Japanese equivalents of gangsters or mafiosos.

Persons: — Organizations: Tokyo, Service, Police, Business Locations: Tokyo

☆ Japan's yen had a rollercoaster week amid suspected intervention. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An undated photographic illustration of Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar bank notes. The yen touched 160.03 against the greenback on Monday, for the first time since 1990, but strengthened to 156 levels later that day amid speculation about an intervention by Japanese authorities. Japanese authorities are yet to issue an official statement confirming their role in propping up the currency. In the last few decades, while other global central banks have tightened their policies, Japan had maintained its ultra-loose policy, leading to concentrated carry trades in the Japanese yen. Market participants believe Japanese authorities will intervene further to prop up the currency.

Persons: Glowimages, they've, Nicholas Smith, Kazuo Ueda, Edward Yardeni Organizations: U.S, Glowimages, CNBC, Bank of America Global Research, Bank of Japan, Bank of, Federal Reserve, Yardeni Research Locations: propping, Japan, U.S, Bank of Japan

☆ Yen clings to sharp gains after suspected intervention, Fed in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The yen held its line against the dollar on Tuesday after making sharp gains the previous day in moves that traders said were sparked by suspected intervention by Japanese authorities. "There is clearly a possibility that the sharp and sudden lifts in the JPY were sparked by intervention. Official figures that would reveal whether intervention did in fact occur won't be available until late May. The Japanese currency still sits lower than it was before the Bank of Japan's policy announcement last week. The Fed is expected to strike a hawkish message, meaning more yen selling is likely, CBA's Kong said.

Persons: haven't, Masato Kanda, Carol Kong, bode, CBA's Kong, pare, Sterling, bitcoin Organizations: Federal, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Trading, Markets, Bank of, Fed, Traders, European Central Bank Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tokyo, Asia, Japan, U.S, Bank of England

☆ Japanese central bank's stance can be viewed as dovish, says former BOJ official
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJapanese central bank's stance can be viewed as dovish, says former BOJ officialKazuo Momma, executive economist at Mizuho Research & Technologies and former Bank of Japan assistant governor, discusses Bank of Japan's decision to keep its key rate unchanged.

Persons: Kazuo Momma Organizations: Mizuho Research & Technologies, Bank of Japan

Asia-Pacific markets were mixed on Friday as investors in Asia look to the Bank of Japan's policy decision and inflation figures out of Tokyo. Thirteen economists polled by Reuters unanimously forecast that the BOJ will leave its monetary policy unchanged. Tokyo's headline inflation rate for April came in at 1.8%, slowing from the 2.6% in March. Core inflation in the capital — which strips out prices of fresh food — sharply fell to 1.6% from March's 2.4%, missing expectations of 2.2% from economists polled by Reuters. Tokyo inflation data is widely considered as a leading indicator of nationwide trends.

Persons: Cherry Organizations: Nippon Budokan, Bank of, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Pacific

☆ Toyota and Nissan pair up with Tencent and Baidu for China AI arms race
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's Toyota Motor will pair up with China's Tencent while Nissan will team up with Baidu , the companies said on Thursday, cross-border partnerships that highlight the importance of artificial intelligence for carmakers. Both Tencent, a gaming and social media giant and Baidu, China's leading search engine, have been leaders in the country's generative AI race. The companies will offer services through Tencent's strengths in big data, AI and cloud computing, Xu said. Nissan said it and Baidu had signed a memorandum of understanding to carry out research on AI and so-called "smart cars". Nissan will use Baidu's generative AI on its platform to study the feasibility of future tech development, it said.

Persons: China's, BYD, Toyota's Yiming Xu, Xu, Nissan Organizations: Beijing Auto, Toyota, Nissan, Baidu Locations: Beijing, China

☆ Firm dollar drags yen down closer to intervention range
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A firm U.S. dollar had the yen locked near a fresh 34-year low on Tuesday, keeping investors on heightened intervention watch as they looked ahead to key U.S. inflation report and the Bank of Japan's rate decision this week. A firm U.S. dollar had the yen locked near a fresh 34-year low on Tuesday, keeping investors on heightened intervention watch as they looked ahead to key U.S. inflation report and the Bank of Japan's rate decision this week. Traders have been keeping wary eye as yen slips towards 155.00, a level considered by many participants as the new trigger for intervention by Japanese authorities. The weak yen complicates the BOJ's policy path, with some market players betting the central bank could come under pressure to hike rates sooner than it wants to slow the currency's decline. Markets are currently pricing in a 46% chance of the Fed's first rate cut starting in September, with November not far behind at 42%, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.

Persons: Carol Kong, Shunichi Suzuki, BoE, Sterling, bitcoin Organizations: Bank of, Traders, Bank of Japan's, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Japan's Finance, Federal Reserve, Investors, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's, European Central Bank, Bank of England Locations: Japan, Iran, Israel, Tokyo, Japan's, U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Kong

☆ Currencies calm but cautious after a weary week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. one hundred dollar bills are being shown in this picture illustration taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 15, 2023. Eyes are on the yen this week, with the Bank of Japan's, or BOJ, Friday policy review the notable item on the economic calendar. The yen has been one of the biggest losers against the dollar this year, with losses mounting to 9%. The ECB's Robert Holzmann, however, said the ECB probably will not cut rates this year as much as planned if the Fed does not move. BoE Governor Andrew Bailey and Deputy Governor Dave Ramsden alluded last week to Britain's inflation slowing as expected.

Persons: Chris Weston, Weston, Kazuo Ueda, BoE, ECB policymaker Madis Muller, Christine Lagarde, Robert Holzmann, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, Dave Ramsden, Sterling, Bitcoin Organizations: U.S ., Bank of Japan's, Federal Reserve, Monetary Fund, Bank, Washington , Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Bank of England, ECB policymaker, ECB, Treasury Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, East, Tehran, Iran, Washington, United States, Japan, South Korea, Washington ,, U.S

☆ Asia markets mostly fall as Japan corporate inflation climbs; New Zealand rate decision on tap
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

People commuting to work in the morning cross a pedestrian crossing in Tokyo on February 15, 2024. Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell as of Japan's corporate inflation climbed in March and rate decisions are awaited from New Zealand and Thailand's central banks. South Korea's markets are closed Wednesday, as the country heads to the polls to elect its next parliament. Japan's corporate inflation rate came in at 0.8% for March, its third straight month of increase and in line with expectations from a Reuters poll of economists, while investors also brace for the U.S. consumer price index report later Wednesday.

Locations: Tokyo, Asia, Pacific, New Zealand, South

☆ Strategist: we are not yet at the tail end of Japan's stock market rally
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailStrategist: we are not yet at the tail end of Japan's stock market rallyFrancis Tan of UOB Private Bank discusses his outlook for Japan, South Korea and China markets. He sees further upside for Japanese stocks, due to strong fundamentals and growth in semiconductor cycle.

Persons: Francis Tan Organizations: UOB Private Bank Locations: UOB, Japan, South Korea, China

☆ Microsoft is about to pump billions more into AI data centers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Microsoft plans to invest $2.9 billion in AI data centers in Japan by 2025, according to reports. In November, Microsoft announced it'd spend roughly $3 billion on AI data centers in the UK. AdvertisementMicrosoft is investing some serious capital in new AI data centers, and Japan is the latest country to benefit. The tech giant plans to pour $2.9 billion into AI data centers in Japan by 2025, according to reports in Reuters and Nikkei Asia. As part of its investment — the company's largest ever in Japan — Microsoft will place advanced AI semiconductors in two of Japan's existing data centers, Nikkei Asia reported.

Persons: it'd, — Organizations: Microsoft, Service, Nikkei, Business Locations: Japan, Nikkei Asia

☆ Japan's real wages fall for 23rd straight month, dampening Bank of Japan's hopes for 'virtuous cycle'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Real wages in Japan fell for a 23rd straight month, suggesting that high inflation is still biting into consumer spending power in the country. Labor ministry data released Monday showed that real wages fell 1.3% in February from a year ago, accelerating from a revised 1.1% drop in January. The data showed special payments, which include bonuses, slipped 5.5% year-on-year. But those pay hikes benefit only a fraction of Japan's workers, given only 16.3% of workers are unionized in the country and most unionized workers are concentrated in large companies. If real wages continue to decline, consumers may choose to save instead of spend, thereby generating little demand and impetus for prices to rise.

Organizations: Labor, Bank of Japan's Locations: Japan

☆ Why Japan's 'shunto' wage hikes may not bring cheer to over 80% of its workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Akihiko Matsuura, president of UA Zensen, center, raises his fist with members of the union during a rally for the annual wage negotiations in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. But will the "shunto" hikes really work for its legions of salarymen? However, headline inflation, which has been above the Bank of Japan's 2% target since April 2022, hits the entire population. This means that the generous pay raise negotiated by the unions leave out almost 84% of Japan's workforce. The recent wage negotiations are also likely to benefit mostly workers in large Japanese companies, while employees at small and medium enterprises might have to face rising prices without a commensurate hike to their salaries.

Persons: Akihiko Matsuura, Richard Kaye, Comgest, Japan Organizations: UA, Japanese Trade Union Confederation, Japan International Labour Foundation, Bank of Japan's, CNBC Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Dollar steadies, yen pinned near 152
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar was steady on Friday after data showed U.S. inflation remained sticky but easing gradually, keeping alive the chance of the Federal Reserve cutting rates in June, while the yen slid back to the key 150 per dollar level. The dollar was on the front foot on Wednesday, pinning the yen near its lowest in decades though the heightened threat of currency intervention by Tokyo capped further declines in the Japanese currency. The yen was last at 151.585 per dollar, languishing near last month's slump to 34-year lows of 151.975 in the wake of the Bank of Japan's historic policy shift. The dollar , which on Tuesday touched a nearly five-month high of 105.10 against a basket of currencies, was last steady at 104.76. "I think the dollar will hold up pretty well in the near term, and that will be a headwind for the other major currencies."

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Koichi Sugisaki, Sterling, Carol Kong, CBA's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Bank of, Ministry of Finance, U.S ., U.S, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Traders, Fed, New Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, CBA's Kong, New Zealand

☆ Dollar ascendant as Fed cut bets pared, jawboning props up yen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.S. dollar hovered near a 4-1/2-month high against major peers on Tuesday as traders rushed to push back bets for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut this year. The U.S. dollar hovered near a 4-1/2-month high against major peers on Tuesday as traders rushed to push back bets for the Federal Reserve's first interest rate cut this year. The U.S. rate futures market now factors in 61.3% odds of a Fed rate cut in June, down from about 70.1% probability a week ago, according to the CME's FedWatch tool. The Japanese yen firmed slightly on Tuesday to 151.565 per dollar, after dipping to 151.77 the previous day. Japanese authorities intervened in 2022 when the yen slid toward a 32-year low of 152 to the dollar.

Persons: –, Richard Franulovich, Sterling, Shunichi Suzuki, Westpac's, skidding, cryptocurrency bitcoin Organizations: U.S, Federal, Treasury, Bank of Japan's Locations: U.S, Japan

☆ Japan's finance minister says 'speculative' moves in currency market impacting yen
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The yen has been on a downtrend despite the BOJ's decision on March 19 to end eight years of negative interest rates. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Monday there were some speculative moves in the currency market that did not reflect economic fundamentals, repeating his warning against excessive yen declines. "We will watch currency market developments with a strong sense of urgency, and will respond appropriately against excessive moves without ruling out any options," Suzuki told parliament. Suzuki said various factors are driving currency moves such as the Bank of Japan's decision to end negative interest rates, Japan's current account balance, price moves, geopolitical risks, as well as market players' sentiment and speculative trades. "As for the yen's recent declines, we believe there are some speculative moves that do not reflect fundamentals when taking into account domestic and overseas economic as well as price developments," he said.

Persons: Shunichi Suzuki, Suzuki Organizations: Japanese Finance, Bank of

☆ Japan Is a Preview of China's Ugly Recession, Stock Market Crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Linette Lopez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

But Japan's economy — the long-unconscious patient — recently started to wiggle its toe. The country's stock market is ripping; the Nikkei recently exceeded the all-time highs it set 34 years ago. Now, Koo says, Chinese academics and policymakers are flocking to Japan to glean some kind of wisdom from the country's experience. Advertisement"This has made Japan attractive for foreign investors, and the stock market has done well," Koo said. Even without a currency war with Beijing, the world is building defenses against another wave of Chinese goods.

Persons: —, Goldman Sachs, there's, Nomura, Richard Koo, Koo, Shinzo Abe, Japan's, What's, it's, we're, haven't, Xi Jinping, doesn't, Xi, we've, Brasília Organizations: Nikkei, Goldman, Bank of Japan, Corporations, International Monetary Fund, Japan, Peterson Institute, European Union, China Locations: East Asia, China, Japan, Real, Tokyo, Beijing, Brussels, Brasília, American, Washington, Brazil, Turkey

☆ Dollar firm after Fed comments; yen under close watch
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"There is no rush to cut the policy rate" right now, Waller said in a speech prepared for delivery before an Economic Club of New York gathering. The dollar index , a measure of the greenback against major peer currencies, ticked up in the wake of Waller's comments and last held mostly unchanged at 104.41. Traders await key U.S. core inflation figures due on Friday, following a bigger-than-expected jump in U.S. durable goods orders on Tuesday that has already boosted the dollar against the yen. The greenback reached 151.975 yen on Wednesday, its strongest against the yen since mid-1990. Japan intervened in the currency market three times in 2022, selling the dollar to buy yen, first in September and again in October as the yen slid towards a 32-year low of 152 to the dollar.

Persons: Christopher Waller, Waller, It's, Kyle Rodda, Rodda, Masato Kanda, Shunichi Suzuki, That's, Ray Attrill, Sterling, bitcoin Organizations: U.S, Federal Reserve, Federal, Economic, of New, Traders, Finance, National Australia Bank, Bank of Japan's Locations: of New York, Japan

☆ Japanese policymakers could intervene fairly soon in the economy, FX strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailJapanese policymakers could intervene fairly soon in the economy, FX strategist saysValentin Marinov, managing director and global head of G10 FX and U.K. research at Credit Agricole, discusses the global foreign exchange market and the Bank of Japan's interest rates.

Persons: Valentin Marinov Organizations: Credit Agricole, Bank of

☆ Dollar dips, yen draws support from Tokyo's jawboning
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar was on the back foot on Tuesday, owing to profit taking and pressured in part by a slightly stronger yen as Japanese government officials continued with their jawboning to defend the currency. The dollar was on the back foot on Tuesday, owing to profit taking and pressured in part by a slightly stronger yen as Japanese government officials continued with their jawboning to defend the currency. "But it's even tougher for the (dollar) to weaken when other central banks were sounding more dovish than a dovish Fed." The dollar index was last 0.02% lower at 104.20, while the euro rose 0.03% to $1.0840. "While they say that the fundamentals don't justify the price, the market's telling them something else," said IG's Sycamore.

Persons: he's, Tony Sycamore, Thierry Wizman, Shunichi Suzuki Organizations: New Zealand, Federal, IG, FX, Macquarie, Fed, Japanese Finance, Bank of Japan's Locations: U.S, Japan, United States, Sycamore

☆ Where Japan's market is heading
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWhere Japan's market is headingShuntaro Takeuchi, Matthews Japan Fund portfolio manager, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss the current health of Japan's Nikkei, corporate profit growth trends in Japan, and more.

Persons: Shuntaro Takeuchi, Matthews Organizations: Matthews Japan Fund, Japan's Nikkei Locations: Matthews Japan, Japan

☆ A 'Dragon Ball' theme park is Saudi Arabia's latest attempt to become the world's playground. Some fans aren't happy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A huge new "Dragon Ball" theme park is coming to Saudi Arabia, the franchise owner said. AdvertisementA massive theme park devoted to "Dragon Ball" is due to be built in Saudi Arabia. The owners of the Dragon Ball franchise announced Friday that Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Company would begin building the only theme park in the world devoted to "Dragon Ball," the hugely popular manga series. On one "Dragon Ball" fan subreddit, the news was greeted with comments like: "I'd prefer not to give the Saudis my money." AdvertisementThe news of the theme park came only weeks after the death of "Dragon Ball" creator Akira Toriyama, who died on March 8 aged 68.

Persons: —, Goku, Mohammed bin Salman's, Dragon, Prince Mohammed, Jamal Khashoggi, Akira Toriyama Organizations: Service, Ball, Saudi, Qiddiya Investment Company, Human Rights Watch, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Qiddiya City, Riyadh, Turkey

☆ Shohei Ohtani says his interpreter stole money from his account and 'told lies'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Dennis Romero | Mirna Alsharif | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Shohei Ohtani answers questions and Ippei Mizuhara translates during the Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Dodgers Press Conference at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, December 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani spoke to the media on Monday for the first time since his former interpreter became wrapped up in an alleged sports gambling scandal. "Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has told lies," Ohtani said in Japanese with the help of a different interpreter. Mizuhara met Ohtani when he went to Japan to work as an interpreter for the Hokkaidō Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, Nippon.com reported. The scandal was first reported Wednesday by The Los Angeles Times and ESPN.

Persons: Shohei, Shohei Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Ippei, Nippon.com, Matthew Bowyer of, Diane Bass, Bowyer's, Bowyer, Bass, Boyer, Shohei Otani, Matthew Bowyer's Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers Press, Dodger, Los Angeles , California . Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, Dodgers, Hokkaidō, Ham Fighters, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Times, ESPN, NBC News, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security, FBI, NBC Locations: Los Angeles , California, Ohtani, Japan, Southern California, Matthew Bowyer of Orange County , California, South Korea

☆ Intervention threat curbs dollar's ascent towards new high on the yen
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar was on the front foot on Monday and kept the yen pinned near a multi-decade low, though the threat of currency intervention from Japanese authorities prevented the greenback from heading further north. "Japanese officials' verbal intervention is making 152 a very strong near-term resistance for dollar/yen," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "Markets are fully aware of a potential actual FX intervention from authorities, so I think that's keeping dollar/yen from moving substantially higher. "I think there is still a high risk that they will come in to prop up the yen if dollar/yen were to surge materially perhaps to 155. The yuan has been pressured by growing market expectations of further monetary easing to prop up the world's second-largest economy.

Persons: Carol Kong, That's, BoE, Andrew Bailey, Chris Weston Organizations: Bank of Japan's, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Swiss National Bank, Sterling, Financial Times, ECB, New Zealand Locations: Japan, United States

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