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☆ BOJ's Noguchi: Japan yet to achieve wage-driven rise in inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese national flag is hoisted atop the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan September 20, 2023. "It's true the impact of elevated global inflation is reaching Japan's economy with consumer inflation exceeding the BOJ's 2% target since the spring of 2022," Noguchi said, according to the text of his speech posted on the BOJ's website. "But the rise (in inflation) is mostly due to cost-push factors amid higher import prices," contrary to the wage-driven price increases seen in the United States and Europe, he said. "To achieve our 2% inflation target, we must see price rises backed by sustained wage increases," Noguchi said. With inflation exceeding the BOJ's 2% target for more than a year, market expectations are heightening that the central bank will exit ultra-loose monetary policy next year.

Persons: Issei Kato, Asahi Noguchi, Noguchi, we've, Kazuo Ueda, Leika, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe

☆ Asia stocks closing in on strongest month since January
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Kane Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A man is reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. The MSCI Asia-ex-Japan stocks index (.MIAPJ0000PUS) is up 6.7% so far this month, setting it on course to mark the best month since January. South Korea's KOSPI (.KS11) has led the rally in Asia with 10.5% gains this month, followed closely by Taiwan (.TWII) and Japan's Nikkei Average index (.N225). Ten-year U.S. yields are down more than 60 basis points in November, on track for the steepest monthly drop since late 2008. U.S. financial conditions are the loosest since early September and have eased 100 basis points in a month, according to Goldman Sachs.

Persons: Issei Kato, Korea's, Christopher Waller, Waller, Redmond Wong, Goldman Sachs, J.P.Morgan, Brent, Kane Wu, Vidya Ranganathan, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Fed, Stock, U.S, Wednesday, Saxo Markets, Organization of, Petroleum, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, U.S, Asia, Taiwan, Greater China, China, Russia, Hong Kong

Adachi said Japan has yet to see a positive wage-inflation cycle, in which wages and inflation rise together, kick off. The BOJ can start debating an exit strategy only when the chance of such a cycle emerging heightens, he added. But Adachi said the BOJ did not necessarily need to wait until inflation-adjusted wage growth turns positive for it to normalise monetary policy. Hawkish member Naoki Tamura in August signalled a chance of ending negative rates early next year, saying Japan's inflation was already "clearly in sight" of the BOJ's target. With inflation exceeding its 2% target for more than a year, many market players expect the BOJ to end negative rates and YCC next year, with some betting on a move as early as January.

Persons: Issei Kato, Seiji Adachi, Adachi, we're, Naoki Tamura, YCC, Leika Kihara, Takahiko Wada, Chang, Ran Kim, Jamie Freed Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, MATSUYAMA, Matsuyama

☆ Japan space agency hit with cyberattack, rocket and satellite info not accessed
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is seen in front of a gate at the JAXA Chofu Aerospace Center Aerodrome Branch in Tokyo January 22, 2013. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Japan's space agency was hit with a cyberattack but the information the hackers accessed did not include anything important for rocket and satellite operations, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. "There was a possibility of unauthorised access by exploiting the vulnerability of network equipment," the spokesperson at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said, declining to elaborate on details such as when the attack took place. The space agency learned of the possibility of the unauthorised access after receiving information from an external organisation and conducting an internal investigation, the spokesperson said, declining to identify the organisation's name. Japanese media reported Wednesday that the cyberattack occurred during the summer and the police became aware of the attack and notified JAXA this autumn.

Persons: Issei Kato, Satoshi Sugiyama, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, JAXA Chofu, Branch, REUTERS, Rights, Yomiuri, Thomson Locations: Tokyo

☆ Japan's price trend gauge hits record, heightens case for BOJ exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 2.2% year-on-year increase in the weighted median inflation rate, which is closely watched as an indicator on whether price rises are broadening, followed a 2.0% gain in September. It was the fastest rise since comparable data became available in 2001, Bank of Japan (BOJ) data showed. The data will be among the factors the BOJ will scrutinise at its next policy-setting meeting on Dec. 18-19. The weighted median is the inflation rate of items at the middle of the price changes, or around the 50th percentile point of the distribution. Unlike the consumer price index (CPI), which is swayed by fuel and energy costs, the weighted median inflation rate is useful to trace how widely prices are rising.

Persons: Issei Kato, Kazuo Ueda, Leika Kihara, Kim Coghill Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Bank

☆ Rapidus hunts for engineers to help Japan regain faded chip glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tetsuro Higashi, the Chairman of Rapidus Corp., poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan February 2, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Government-backed Japanese chip foundry venture Rapidus is hunting high and low - including among industry veterans and overseas - to find engineers to help it revive a chip industry that was once the envy of the world. Rapidus is helmed by veteran chip industry executives who were working in the 1980s when Japan boasted a market share of around half of the global chips market. Rapidus' ambitious plans have been met with scepticism from chip industry insiders who have questioned whether the company will be able to achieve mass production and secure a sufficient customer base. Yonemaru last month relocated to work with IBM in New York state, part of a cohort of Rapidus engineers heading there as the fab is being constructed.

Persons: Tetsuro, Issei Kato, TSMC, Rapidus, Masami Suzuki, Suzuki, Naoto Yonemaru, Sam Nussey, Miho Uranaka, Tim Kelly, Jamie Freed Organizations: Rapidus Corp, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, IBM, Rapidus, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Hokkaido, New York

While emerging market and Asian equities clocked up decent gains on Tuesday, Wall Street struggled to make much headway despite a seemingly constructive market and economic backdrop. The dollar, Treasury yields, and stock market volatility all fell, and U.S. consumer confidence was higher than expected. Fed Governor Christopher Waller - thought to be close to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's thinking on policy - also signaled that U.S. interest rates could be cut in the months ahead. Thailand's central bank is also expected to keep rates on hold, at 2.50%, through the middle of 2025. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Wednesday:- New Zealand interest rate decision- Thailand interest rate decision- Australia inflationBy Jamie McGeever Editing byOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Issei Kato, Christopher Waller, Jerome Powell's, That's, Michele Bullock, Jamie McGeever Organizations: U.S, REUTERS, Wall, Treasury, Fed, Nasdaq, Reserve Bank of New, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of Australia, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Australia, U.S, Thailand's, Zealand

☆ Asia stocks swing lower, gold climbs as oil slips
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

One mover was gold, which climbed to $2,009.87 an ounce and briefly hit a six-month top of $2,017.82. S&P 500 futures eased 0.2% and Nasdaq futures lost 0.4%. "Indeed, this message of patience is likely to be notable in upcoming DM policy communications in response to recent financial market developments." Markets priced in 80 basis points of U.S. easing next year, and around 82 basis points for the ECB. Reports suggest African oil producers are seeking higher caps for 2024, while Saudi Arabia may extend its additional 1 million bpd voluntary production cut, which is due to expire at the end of December.

Persons: Issei Kato, Jerome Powell, Bruce Kasman, Christine Lagarde, Brent, Wayne Cole, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, SYDNEY, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Federal, JPMorgan, European Central Bank, EU, ECB, CBA, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Saudi Arabia, OPEC

☆ BOJ's Ueda: Cannot say with conviction inflation will hit 2% target sustainably
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda attends a news conference after their policy meeting at BOJ headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 28, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Monday the central bank cannot say yet with conviction that inflation will sustainably and stably achieve its 2% inflation target. "We're seeing some positive signs in wages and inflation. But there's high uncertainty on whether this cycle will strengthen," Ueda told parliament. Reporting by Leika Kihara; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Issei Kato, Ueda, Leika Kihara, Tom Hogue Organizations: of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan

☆ Asia stocks turn lower, gold jumps as oil slips
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

S&P 500 futures eased 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures lost 0.4%. That in turn has been a drag on the dollar which has lost 3% on a basket of major counterparts this month . Reports suggest African oil producers are seeking higher caps for 2024, while Saudi Arabia may extend its additional 1 million bpd voluntary production cut, which is due to expire at the end of December. "Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ faces a challenge in convincing markets that it can help keep oil markets tight in 2024," wrote commodity analysts at CBA in a note. "OPEC+ will have to show significant supply discipline, or at least jawbone such ability, to alleviate market worries of a deep surplus in oil markets next year."

Persons: Issei Kato, Jerome Powell, Bruce Kasman, Christine Lagarde, Brent, Wayne Cole, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, SYDNEY, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Federal, JPMorgan, European Central Bank, EU, ECB, Australian, CBA, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Saudi Arabia, OPEC

☆ Asia stocks steady ahead of inflation tests, OPEC+ meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The approach of month end could also cause some caution given the hefty gains investors are sitting on. "Indeed, this message of patience is likely to be notable in upcoming DM policy communications in response to recent financial market developments." Markets priced in almost 90 basis points of U.S. easing next year, and around 83 basis points for the ECB. The oil market faces a tense few days ahead of a meeting of OPEC+ on Nov. 30, a meting that had originally been slated for Sunday but was postponed as producers struggled to find a unanimous position. Reports suggest African oil producers are seeking higher caps for 2024, while Saudi Arabia may extend its additional 1 million bpd voluntary production cut, which is due to expire at the end of December.

Persons: Issei Kato, Jerome Powell, Bruce Kasman, Christine Lagarde, Brent, Wayne Cole, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, SYDNEY, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Federal, JPMorgan, European Central Bank, EU, ECB, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Europe, Asia, Pacific, Saudi Arabia

A man looks at an electric monitor displaying the Japanese yen exchange rate against the U.S. dollar and Nikkei share average outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 28 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. Volatility across major asset classes is low - implied volatility on Wall Street is at its lowest in almost four years, global currency implied vol is the lowest since early last year, and U.S. bond vol is at a two-month low. China's markets, especially, have lagged, although Japanese stocks have outperformed thanks to the weak yen and a historic loosening of wider financial conditions. The Aussie on Monday rose above $0.66 for the first time since Aug. 10 and was one of the biggest winners among major currencies along with the Japanese yen and New Zealand dollar.

Persons: Issei Kato, Goldman Sachs, Michele Bullock, Bullock, Philip Lowe, Bullock's, Fed's Waller, Bowman, Goolsbee, Barr, Jamie McGeever Organizations: U.S ., Nikkei, REUTERS, Reserve Bank of Australia, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Bank for International, New Zealand, Bank of, RBA, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Tokyo, Japan, U.S, Asia, Hong Kong, Bank of Japan, Australia

☆ Foreign ministers of S.Korea, China, Japan to discuss trilateral summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 24 (Reuters) - The foreign ministers of South Korea, China and Japan will meet for talks in South Korea on Sunday, South Korea's foreign ministry said on Friday, as the three countries seek to hold their first leaders' summit in four years. The meeting of foreign ministers, which will take place in the South Korean port city of Busan, is also the first such meeting since 2019. "The foreign ministers plan to exchange views extensively on the direction of development of trilateral cooperation including preparations for a ninth trilateral summit, and regional and global issues," the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement. The talks come as South Korea and Japan have seen improving ties and also deepening security cooperation with the United States amid concerns over China's growing regional influence. Beijing has previously warned that U.S. efforts to strengthen ties with South Korea and Japan could increase tension and confrontation in the region.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon, Issei Kato, Hyonhee, Ed Davies, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Tokyo International, REUTERS, Rights, Sunday, South Korean, South, Thomson Locations: Korean, Tokyo, Japan, Rights SEOUL, South Korea, China, Busan, United States, Beijing, North Korea

☆ BOJ to end negative interest rates in 2024, over 80% of economists say: Reuters poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Satoshi Sugiyama | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

While none of 26 economists predicted changes in the upcoming December BOJ meeting, many foresaw the negative rate policy, which has set Japan's short-term deposit rate at minus 0.1%, would reach the end of the line next year. In the Nov. 15-20 poll, 22 of 26, or 85%, of economists said the BOJ would end the policy by the end of next year. Having watered down YCC, the BOJ's next focus is to end its negative interest rate policy and push short-term rates to zero, sources previously told Reuters. Close to 85% of poll respondents forecast the BOJ would end its YCC policy, while the rest said it would tweak the scheme again, the poll found. EYES ON NEXT YEAROf 22 economists in the poll who chose 2024 for the end of negative rates, more than a half, 12, opted for the April 25-26 meeting.

Persons: Issei Kato, Kazuo Ueda, Mitsubishi UFJ, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, Hiroshi Namioka, Namioka, Fumio Kishida's, Chiyuki Takamatsu, Satoshi Sugiyama, Veronica Khongwir, Sujith Pai, Sam Holmes Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of, Reuters, Capital, Research Institute, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, D, Management, Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Bank of Japan

Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, attends an open dialogue with students at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan June 12, 2023. The nonprofit board overseeing the maker of the popular ChatGPT chatbot sent shock waves through Silicon Valley on Friday by abruptly firing Chief Executive Sam Altman. The trust that controls the candymaker agreed in 2016 to replace certain board members after the Pennsylvania attorney general challenged the trust's spending. Under OpenAI's bylaws, only directors can remove or elect new board members. Board members can sue other board members, either directly or on behalf of the organization, for failing to exercise their duties, said Reid.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Issei Kato, chatbot, Satya Nadella, Alexander Reid, Darryll Jones, OpenAI's, Reid, Ilya Sutskever, Altman, Greg Brockman, Sutskever, Anthropic, Jody Godoy, Tom Hals, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Keio University, REUTERS, Microsoft, Hershey Co, Florida, M University, U.S . Internal Revenue Service, Reuters, OpenAI, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Silicon Valley, Pennsylvania, U.S, New York

☆ Stocks in Asia hit 2-month high, dollar defensive on Fed view
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A passerby walks past an electric monitor displaying various countries' stock price index outside a bank in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2023. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was 0.97% higher at 510.11 having touched 511.05, the highest since Sept. 18. In rest of Asia, Japan's Nikkei (.N225) edged higher and remained close to the 33-year high it toucehd on Monday. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.22% to 148.03 per dollar, lifting away from the one-year low of 151.92 it touched last week. The Australian dollar , often seen as a barometer of risk appetite, touched a three-month high of $0.65775 earlier in the session.

Persons: Issei Kato, DAX, Wall, Sam Altman, Ben Bennett, Nicholas Chia, murmurs, Hong, HSI, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . Federal, Nvidia, Microsoft, Stock, Traders, Legal, General Investment Management, Standard Chartered, Japan's Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Thursday's U.S

☆ Sony facing $7.9 bln mass lawsuit over PlayStation Store prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Sony Group Corp FollowLONDON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Sony (6758.T) must face a mass lawsuit worth up to 6.3 billion pounds ($7.9 billion) over claims the PlayStation maker abused its dominant position leading to unfair prices for customers, a London tribunal ruled on Tuesday. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) was sued last year on behalf of nearly nine million people in the United Kingdom who had bought digital games or add-on content through Sony's PlayStation Store. Alex Neill, a consumer advocate who has worked on previous campaigns, is bringing the case against Sony. She says the company abused its dominant position by requiring digital games and add-ons to be bought and sold only via the PlayStation Store, which charges a 30% commission to developers and publishers. The claim alleges customers have therefore paid higher prices for games and add-on content than they would have done.

Persons: Issei Kato, Alex Neill, Neill, they're, Sam Tobin, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Sony, REUTERS, Sony Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, London, United Kingdom

Japanese national flag is hoisted atop the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan September 20, 2023. If the BOJ pulls interest rates above zero for the first time in years, banks' lending margins could rise. Steve Donzé, deputy head of investment at Pictet Asset Management in Tokyo, said he had also been buying Japanese bank stocks. BOND PAINJapanese inflation means bond investors could suffer. But investors are cautious about this so-called yield curve control policy ending as the BOJ is forced to tighten monetary policy.

Persons: Issei Kato, Shigeka Koda, Koda, Steve Donzé, Junichi Inoue, Janus Henderson, James Halse, Warren Buffett, David Hogarty, Jon Day, Grégoire Pesques, Amundi, Pictet's Donzé, Naomi Rovnick, Kevin Buckland, Dhara Ranasinghe, Jane Merriman Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, LONDON, Asia Investment, Kosaido Holdings, Kyushu Financial, Pictet, Management, Platinum Asset Management, Global, Bank of America, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Dublin, Newton Investment Management, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO, Singapore, Sydney, United States, Europe, London

☆ Japan shares hit three-decade high, yuan shoves dollar down
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. Financial shares led the gains on Monday as investors prepare for an eventual end to negative rates, while auto makers have been benefiting from a weak yen and high exports. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) gained 0.8%, having climbed 2.8% last week to a two-month high. Chinese blue chips (.CSI300) dipped 0.2% as the country's central bank held rates steady as widely expected, but set a firm fix for the yuan that saw the dollar slip under 7.2000 to a three-month low. Sweden's central bank meets this week and may hike again, given high inflation and the weakness of its currency.

Persons: Issei Kato, Goldman Sachs, Brent, Wayne Cole, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, Nvidia, Japan's Nikkei, Financial, Hamas, Nasdaq, Tech, Futures, U.S, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, NAB, ECB, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SYDNEY, Asia, Pacific, Israel, United States, Gaza, October's

☆ Japan shares hit three-decade high, yuan climbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. Financial shares led the gains on Monday as investors prepare for an eventual end to negative rates, while auto makers have been benefiting from a weak yen and high exports. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) edged up 0.1%, having climbed 2.8% last week to a two-month high. That outlook helped bonds rally, with 10-year Treasury yields at 4.45% having dropped 19 basis points last week and away from October's 5.02% high. Sweden's central bank meets this week and may hike again, given high inflation and the weakness of its currency.

☆ Asia off to slow start, lot of easing already priced in
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) edged up 0.1%, having climbed 2.8% last week to a two-month high. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) was little changed, and is up almost 9% for the month so far amid upbeat corporate earnings. A LOT PRICED INMarkets have all but priced out the risk of a further hike in December or next year, and imply a 30% chance of an easing starting in March. Futures also imply around 100 basis points of cuts for 2024, up from 77 basis points before the benign October inflation report shook markets. "If another soft print eventuates, expect pricing for ECB cuts to extend beyond the current 100bps of cuts being priced for 2024."

Persons: Issei Kato, Goldman Sachs, Brent nudged, Wayne Cole, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Nikkei, Nvidia, Hamas, Japan's Nikkei, Nasdaq, Tech, Futures, U.S, European Central Bank, NAB, ECB, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SYDNEY, Israel, United States, Gaza, Asia, Pacific, October's

☆ Japanese troops drill on island seen as vulnerable to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Tim Kelly | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Japanese marines in amphibious assault vehicles stormed an island beach at the edge of the East China Sea on Sunday in a simulated attack to dislodge invaders from territory that Tokyo worries is vulnerable to attack from China. Other troops arrived in semi-inflatable rubber boats, with heavy equipment carried to shore on military hovercraft. [1/5]A Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) soldier takes part in a marine landing drill as a part of the country's nationwide 05JX military exercises at Tokunoshima island, Kagoshima prefecture, southwestern Japan, November 19, 2023. Kishida has warned that East Asia could be the next Ukraine, if China, emboldened by Russia's assault on its neighbour, attacks Taiwan. But the yen's sharp decline this year has forced Japan to cut back on some planned purchases, including new models of the U.S.-made Chinook helicopters that Japan's military used in the Tokunoshima drill.

Persons: Yoshihide Yoshida, Issei Kato, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Tim Kelly, William Mallard Organizations: Self - Defence Forces, Joint Staff, Defence Force, Defense Force, Defense, Rapid Deployment Brigade, REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: TOKUNOSHIMA, Japan, East, Tokyo, China, Russia, North Korea, Tokunoshima, Kagoshima prefecture, Taiwan, Asia, Ukraine, U.S, Beijing

☆ BOJ will debate easy-policy exit when inflation nears target -Gov Ueda
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda attends a news conference after their policy meeting at BOJ headquarters in Tokyo, Japan April 28, 2023. The fate of the central bank's purchases and holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETF) will also be discussed as and when the BOJ considers an exit from ultra-loose policy, he added. "We will consider ending yield curve control and negative interest rates if we can expect inflation to stably and sustainably meet our 2% target," Ueda told a semi-annual testimony to parliament on Friday. "Trend inflation is likely to gradually accelerate toward our 2% inflation target through fiscal 2025. "If achievement of our price target approaches, we will discuss a strategy and guidelines for exiting ultra-loose policy," including the fate of its ETF holdings, Ueda said.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda, Issei Kato, Ueda, Leika, Shri Navaratnam, Sam Holmes Organizations: of Japan, REUTERS, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, TOKYO

☆ Asia stocks waver, expectations of Fed pause intact after data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Julie Zhu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. economic data this week has left investors in the same state of confusion about Fed policy as they have been in for weeks. "A period of consolidation seems warranted, especially if Fed officials push back against the recent easing in financial conditions." Australian shares (.AXJO) were down 0.33%, while Japan's Nikkei stock index (.N225) slid 0.36%. On Wednesday, U.S. stocks closed slightly higher, as the inflation data reinforced investor hopes the Fed is done raising interest rates, while retail stocks were boosted by an upbeat forecast from Target. The two-year yield , which rises with traders' expectations of higher Fed fund rates, touched 4.8991% compared with a U.S. close of 4.916%.

Persons: Issei Kato, HSI, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Brent, Julie Zhu, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, ANZ, Japan's Nikkei, Nikkei, Target, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Treasury, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, HONG KONG, Asia, Pacific, U.S

☆ Japanese helicopters train to repel invaders amid nationwide military drills
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Tim Kelly | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's (JGSDF) AH-64 Apache helicopter flies over JGSDF's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB) soldiers and the U.S. Marines during ARDB's military drill at an uninhabited Irisuna island close to Okinawa, Japan, November 15, 2023. The flight over Irisuna, about 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) from the main Okinawa island, was part of the country's 11-day nationwide 05JX. The drills, which end Monday, also include an air defence exercise in Japan’s north and simulated attacks on five nuclear reactors including the Fukushima plant. Trained to conduct operations from the sea, his unit was established in 2018 to help Japan defend the Okinawa islands, which stretch from the main Japanese islands to close to Taiwan. Japan's increasing defence budget will allow the ARDB to add a third regiment, Nashinoki said.

Persons: Issei Kato, Fumio Kishida, Shingo Nashinoki, Nashinoki, Tim Kelly, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Defense, JGSDF's, Rapid Deployment Brigade, U.S, Marines, REUTERS, Apache, Wednesday, Japan's Self Defence Forces, Japan's, Irisuna, Thomson Locations: Okinawa, Japan, East Asia, China, Russia, East China, South China, Pacific, Taiwan

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