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☆ G7 to discuss digital currency standards, crypto regulation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"As a priority of this year, the G7 will consider how best to help developing countries introduce CBDC consistent with appropriate standards, including the G7 public policy principle for retail CBDC," he said. Outside the G7, China has been leading the pack on issuing a digital currency. G7 central banks have set common standards toward issuing CBDCs as some proceed with experiments. The collapse of crypto exchange FTX last year "was a serious wake-up call" for policymakers to create regulation across borders, he said. Reporting by Leika Kihara in Tokyo; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan's business services prices perk up near BOJ's inflation target
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, March 27 (Reuters) - Japan's business-to-business services inflation picked up in February on a tourism rebound and rising labour costs, data showed, offering the central bank hope that steady wage hikes would aid in sustainably hitting its 2% inflation target. The services producer price index, which measures the prices companies charge each other for services, rose 1.8% in February from a year earlier, up from a 1.6% gain in January, BOJ data showed on Monday. Fees for services such as office cleaning, taxi and software development also rose, reflecting higher labour costs. "For services, the pass-through of rising costs isn't as smooth as those for wholesale goods," said Masato Higashi, head of the BOJ's price statistics division, told a briefing. "But when you look closely, the pass-through (of higher labour costs) is gradually broadening," he said.

Credit Suisse fell 8% in Europe and First Republic tumbled 30%. Banking troubles revived memories of the 2008 financial crisis, when dozens of institutions failed or were bailed out with billions of dollars of government and central bank money. Earlier this week, the franc plunged the most against the dollar in one day since 2015, when the Swiss central bank loosened its currency peg. Japan's Ministry of Finance, Financial Services Agency and Bank of Japan officials met on Friday evening to discuss financial markets. Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, told reporters after the trilateral meeting that the government, the central bank and the banking watchdog would coordinate to ensure the stability of the financial system.

☆ G20 watchdog homes in on decentralised finance after FTX crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

FSB member countries will now "proactively" analyse vulnerabilities from DeFi as part of regular monitoring of crypto markets, the report said. The collapse of FTX last November exposed vulnerabilities in intermediaries and DeFi, the report said. FSB DeFi Graphic 1SUPERVISION GAPSThe most worrying vulnerability in DeFi relates to "mismatches" in liquidity from different maturities in liabilities and assets, the report said. Until the sharp retreat in bitcoin prices and the FTX crash, regulators had largely focused on cryptoassets rather than related technology. FSB DeFi Graphic 2Reporting by Huw Jones Editing by Helen PopperOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan's top FX diplomat warns sharp currency moves won't be tolerated
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Sharp one-sided currency moves cannot be tolerated, Japan's top finance diplomat Masato Kanda told Reuters, reaffirming Tokyo's determination to intervene in the foreign exchange market to curb any speculative or significant yen moves. Kanda oversaw Japan's currency intervention conducted last year to prop up the yen after it fell around 30% to 32-year lows near 152 to the dollar. Kanda emphasised that the government aims to keep currency moves stable, while the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has independence in guiding monetary policy and focuses on achieving price stability. But policy itself is independent," Kanda said of the central bank's monetary policy. The BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy has drawn criticism from some analysts as having triggered an unwelcome yen plunge last year that inflated the cost of raw material imports.

☆ Russia sanctions, Ukraine support to be G7 priority, says Japan diplomat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine will be a top priority at G7 financial leaders' meetings under Japan's chair," said Kanda, who will oversee G7 deputy-level talks on economic policy this year. While Kanda underscored the importance of G7 unity in standing up to Russia, some analysts say there may be differences on sanctions, particularly among Europeans who are being forced to wean themselves off Russian energy supplies. Kanda, who is vice finance minister for international affairs, listed the challenges the G7 will have to confront over the coming year. "If this is realised, it would pave the way to carry out debt restructuring for other middle-income countries." Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Additional reporting by Kentaro Sugiyama; Editing by Robert Birsel and Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japan Nov factory output falls on weakening global demand
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Kantaro Komiya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The impacts of overseas rate hikes, slower growth and weak capital expenditure demand are gradually reaching Japan," said Masato Koike, economist at Sompo Institute Plus. "Production inevitably remains weak for October-December and highly likely stalls furthermore as the global economy hasn't hit its worst." That marked the third monthly decrease in Japanese production and followed a revised 3.2% fall in October and 1.7% contraction in September. Output of general machinery slipped 7.9%, while that of production machinery decreased 5.7%, driving down the overall index in November. METI cut its assessment of industrial output for a second straight month, saying "production is weakening".

☆ Researchers discover over 100 new ancient designs in Peru’s Nazca lines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

More than a hundred new designs discovered in and around Peru’s ancient Nazca plain and surrounding areas could bring new information to light about the mysterious pre-Columbian artworks that have intrigued scientists and visitors for decades. Jorge Olano, head archaeologist for the Nazca Lines research program, said the new figures averaged between two and six meters (6.56 to 19.7 feet) in length. The purpose of the Nazca lines, which could only be seen from the air, remain a mystery. The figures, iconic vestiges of Peru’s rich history, are about a three-hour drive from the capital Lima. Yamagata University said the research will be used in artificial intelligence-based surveys to help inform the lines’ preservation.

☆ Researchers find new biomorphs hidden within Peru's mysterious Nazca lines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Japanese researchers and Peruvian archeologists have discovered new geoglyphs in the Nazca lines. A general view shows one of the Nazca lines images found in the Nazca plain as part of research led by Peruvian and Japanese researchers from Yamagata University. A general view shows one of the Nazca lines images found in the Nazca plain as part of research led by Peruvian and Japanese researchers from Yamagata University. A general view shows one of the Nazca lines images found in the Nazca plain as part of research led by Peruvian and Japanese researchers from Yamagata University. A general view shows one of the Nazca lines images found in the Nazca plain as part of research led by Peruvian and Japanese researchers from Yamagata University.

☆ Researchers discover over 100 new ancient designs in Peru's Nazca lines
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Carlos Valdez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jorge Olano, head archaeologist for the Nazca Lines research program, said the new figures averaged between two and six meters (6.56 to 19.7 feet) in length. The purpose of the Nazca lines, which could only be seen from the air, remain a mystery. This month's findings, however, are smaller and can be seen from the ground, Masato Sakai, a professor from Yamagata University who led the study, told Reuters. The figures, iconic vestiges of Peru's rich history, are about a three-hour drive from the capital Lima. Yamagata University said the research will be used in artificial intelligence-based surveys to help inform the lines' preservation.

☆ Japan spent record $42.8 bln in October interventions to prop up yen
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 6.3499 trillion yen ($42.8 billion) was broadly in line with the estimates of Tokyo money market brokers who thought Japan had likely spent up to 6.4 trillion yen over two consecutive trading days of unannounced interventions. A steep drop in the yen to a 32-year low of 151.94 to the dollar on Oct. 21 likely triggered the intervention, followed by another one on Oct. 24. However, the amount was nearly double the 2.8 trillion yen Tokyo spent last month in its first yen-buying and dollar-selling intervention in more than two decades. The interventions helped to trigger an immediate drop in the dollar of more than 7 yen on Oct. 21, and another dollar fall to the yen by around 5 yen on Oct. 24 albeit temporarily. "This suggested that the Japanese authorities will continue to attack market players selling off the yen beyond 150 yen."

☆ Japan likely spent record amount in October to prop up yen
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A compilation of estimates by Tokyo money market brokers indicates that Japan likely spent a record 5.4 trillion yen ($24.9 billion) over two consecutive trading days of unannounced intervention on Oct. 21 and 24, in reaction to a steep drop in the yen to a 32-year low of 151.94 to the dollar on Oct. 21. That would be nearly double the 2.8 trillion yen Tokyo spent last month in its first yen-buying and dollar-selling intervention in more than two decades. The latest intervention helped to trigger an immediate drop in the dollar of more than 7 yen, but the Japanese currency has since come under renewed pressure. The Ministry of Finance will announce on Monday at 7 p.m. (1000 GMT) the total amount spent for intervention from Sept. 29 to Oct. 27. Indeed, Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, has said there was no limit to the authorities' resources for conducting intervention.

A 12.4% decline in auto-related production - the sector's steepest fall in eight months - drove down the overall index. Manufacturers surveyed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) expected output to fall another 0.4% in October and rise 0.8% in November. "Rather, with rising procurement costs on the weak yen, coupled with (higher) energy prices, some firms have voiced concerns for their business conditions." Separate data showed retail sales rose 4.5% year-on-year in September, extending a rebound since March when the government ended domestic COVID-19 containment measures. On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, retail sales grew 1.1% in September, rising for a third month.

☆ Japan says Yellen respects its decision not to disclose any FX intervention
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen participates in a discussion at the annual Freedman's Bank Forum at the Treasury Department in Washington, U.S., October 4, 2022. That raised speculation that Japan and the United States might be at odds over currency policy, which would make it difficult to intervene further. "Treasury Secretary Yellen respects Japan's stance of not confirming whether or not we conducted intervention, so we appreciate that." Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki also said on Tuesday that Japan was closely in touch with the United States and that both have reaffirmed the Group of Seven agreement on currencies. Since Japan's yen-buying intervention on Sept. 22, the authorities have kept mum on whether they had entered the currency market, although sources have said stealth intervention was conducted last Friday and this Monday.

Banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken September 22, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File PhotoSummary Yen volatile as Tokyo suspected of intervention for 2nd dayYen plunged to 32-year low vs dollar near 152 yen FridayFX officials remains tight lipped on interventionTOKYO, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Japanese yen was whipsawed in early Monday trading on suspected intervention by Tokyo for the second straight day, but the efforts to slow the currency's relentless slide was blunted by a dollar riding a wave of yield-driven and safe-haven demand. Japanese authorities again declined to confirm whether they had intervened, but the price action strongly suggested they had. read moreEarly on Monday, the Japanese currency made a thumping 4 yen jump to 145.28 per dollar, indicating currency authorities had stepped in for a second successive day, after a similar move by Tokyo on Friday. If the United States shows signs of its rate hikes peaking out and even cutting interest rates, the yen would stop weakening even without intervention."

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterAfter the dollar rose to 151.94 yen , its highest since 1990, the intervention drove the greenback down more than 7 yen to a low of 144.50 yen. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervened in several stages from around 9:35 p.m. (1235 GMT), one source said. Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, also declined to say whether the MOF had intervened. Many market players doubt whether Tokyo can reverse the yen's downtrend with solo intervention, even with Japan's $1.33 trillion in foreign reserves. Japan bought a record 3.6 trillion yen ($24 billion) in the September action, Tokyo money market brokerage firms estimated.

Coins and banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken June 16, 2022. That contrasts with Japan's intervention after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami to quell sharp yen rises, in which authorities announced most interventions. "With stealth intervention, authorities can give markets the impression they could be stepping in more frequently than they actually have," said Atsushi Takeda, chief economist at Itochu Research Institute. That means Tokyo will need to rely more on its words - or its silence - rather than reserves to shore up the yen. You could say stealth intervention may be better than nothing, though it's really just buying time."

Banknotes of Japanese yen are seen in this illustration picture taken September 22, 2022. On Sept. 22 they stepped in to prop up the yen for the first time since 1998. "I won't comment," Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters at the finance ministry, when asked about intervention. "We absolutely cannot tolerate excessive moves in the foreign exchange market based on speculation," Suzuki told reporters at the finance ministry. Masato Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, also declined to comment on intervention.

☆ Masato Kudo: Former Japanese international and MLS soccer player dies aged 32
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Japanese football club Tegevajaro Miyazaki has announced the death of striker Masato Kudo at age 32, the Japan Times reports. “From his achievements in the J1 to being selected for the Samurai Blue, Kudo was an incredibly accomplished player. But in spite of that he was never arrogant and cherished his teammates, the club and our supporters. The Japanese Professional Football League confirmed his passing on Twitter:“Along with the entire Japanese football community, we mourn the passing of Masato Kudo and wish to express our most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” the statement read. “Football Australia is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Japanese forward Masato Kudo,” Football Australia, the sport’s governing body in Australia, also tweeted.

After the dollar rose to 151.94 yen , its highest since 1990, the intervention drove the Japanese currency down more than 7 yen to a low of 144.50 yen. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervened in several stages from around 9:35 p.m. (1235 GMT), one source said. Speaking to reporters shortly after the yen spiked, Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, declined to comment on whether the MOF had intervened, according to Jiji news agency. Many market players doubt whether Tokyo can reverse the yen's downtrend with solo intervention, even with Japan's $1.33 trillion in foreign reserves. Japan bought a record 3.6 trillion yen ($24 billion) in the September action, Tokyo money market brokerage firms estimated.

☆ Former Japan international Kudo dies after brain surgery, aged 32
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 22 (Reuters) - Former Japan international forward Masato Kudo, who also played for Kashiwa Reysol, Vancouver Whitecaps and Brisbane Roar, died aged 32 following brain surgery, his club Tegevajaro Miyazaki has announced. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterHe played for the national team in four matches in 2013 and scored two goals. "He made a significant impact in the first division," third division side Tegevajaro Miyazaki, who Kudo had joined from Roar this year, said in a statement. We are devastated that such a great player has passed away so early." Kudo, who also represented Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scored 60 goals in Japan's first division during his career.

☆ Japan intervened, buying yen in foreign exchange market late Friday: Reuters, citing sources
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japan's finance ministry on Sept. 22, 2022 intervened in the currency market to bolster the yen, which has plummeted against the U.S. dollar in recent months on the widening policy gap between the US and Japanese central banks. Japan intervened in the foreign exchange market on Friday to buy yen for the second time in a month after the currency hit a 32-year low near 152 to the dollar, a government official and another person familiar with the matter told Reuters. After the dollar rose to 151.94 yen, its highest since 1990, the intervention drove the Japanese currency down more than 7 yen to a low of 144.50 yen. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) intervened in several stages from around 9:35 p.m. (1235 GMT), one source said. Japan's top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda, declined to say whether the MOF had intervened.

Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, said he will not comment on whether Japan was intervening now or have stepped into the currency market earlier on Thursday. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki also told reporters after the yen's latest slide that he will "take decisive action" against excessive, sharp yen moves. "We cannot tolerate excessive, rapid currency market moves driven by speculative action," Suzuki said. The yen's break of 150 against the dollar took it to its weakest level since August 1990. The BOJ, for its part, ramped up efforts to defend its 0% bond yield cap earlier on Thursday with offers of emergency bond buying.

☆ Japan keeps up warnings over rapid yen moves after G20
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Japan's vice minister of finance for international affairs, Masato Kanda, poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo, Japan January 31, 2022. The phrasing about "decisive steps" is at times deployed as a prelude to intervention, although the authorities' warnings on currency moves have not generally had consistent or long-lasting effects on the markets. On Monday, the yen was again hovering close to 149 per dollar, trading around 148.70. The yen's sharp moves also heighten uncertainty for firms in making business decisions. Japanese policymakers have said they won't seek to defend a certain yen level, and instead will focus on smoothing volatility.

☆ Japan's top currency diplomat: will respond to excessive FX moves
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's vice minister of finance for international affairs, Masato Kanda, poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at the Finance Ministry in Tokyo, Japan January 31, 2022. REUTERS/Issei KatoTOKYO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Japan will respond firmly to excessive currency fluctuations, its top currency diplomat Masato Kanda said, following the yen's sharp fall to a 32-year low to the dollar. "Each country would respond appropriately" to an agreement on foreign exchange market moves by the Group of Seven (G7) and G20 meetings last week, Kanda, vice finance minister for international affairs, told reporters at the Ministry of Finance. In addition, the yen's sharp falls heighten uncertainty for firms in making business decisions. Separately, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Monday authorities would take decisive steps against excess currency moves driven by speculation, the Nikkei business daily reported.

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