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Why the U.S. isn’t concerned that Japan might act to prop up its currency

Sep 20, 2023
The U.S. isn’t usually thrilled when a country intervenes in its own currency. But boosting the yen is likely to help Japan’s economy, which could help the U.S. in turn.
If the yen jumps around too much, anyone that wants to trade with Japan might hold off.
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China and Japan have a little less appetite for U.S. Treasurys

Aug 21, 2023
The two biggest foreign holders of U.S. debt have their own complicated reasons for buying fewer Treasurys.
In Japan, the weak yen is playing a role in the reduced appetite for U.S. Treasurys. Above, the Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Europe's seeing inflation fade. The UK still has it bad. In Japan, inflation is actually good news.

Jun 30, 2023
How some other big economies are handling rising prices.
Susannah Ireland/AFP via Getty Images

As economies worldwide struggle with inflation, Japan faces another problem: a weak yen

Sep 22, 2022
As many central banks raise interest rates, the Bank of Japan is keeping them low to prop up the economy. That leads to a depreciated currency.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The BoJ has kept interest rates low to prop up the economy, but the side effects include a depreciating currency.
Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images

Japanese shocked by rising prices after decades of economic stagnation

Jun 20, 2022
Japan had struggled to even reach the central bank inflation target of 2%.
Japanese consumers have come to expect stable prices, making it difficult for stores to consider increasing them.
Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images

Japan, bucking the global trend, keeps interest rates low

Apr 28, 2022
While some major central banks tighten monetary policy to fight inflation, the Bank of Japan is taking a very different approach.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo. Unlike many central banks, Japan's is keeping interest rates low, expecting inflation to fade.
Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

It turns out 2020 may have been a good year for the anime industry

Dec 31, 2020
Between a recording-breaking animated movie and growing popularity around the world, the anime industry saw plenty of wins in 2020.
In Tokyo, pedestrians walk past a poster promoting "Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train," which became the biggest box-office hit in Japan after its release this fall.
Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images

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How Japan's superfans taught the world to love pop culture

Jun 17, 2020
Author Matt Alt describes how Japan's pop culture, and its superfans, shaped sensibilities the world over.
A shop in New York celebrates Hello Kitty's 45th birthday in 2019. Japanese pop culture is known far and wide.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Anime could be a key to streaming domination

Jan 9, 2020
As streaming platforms compete for the attention of young viewers, many are investing in Japanese animation.
The anime show "Neon Genesis Evangelion" is streaming on Netflix.
Screenshot via Netflix

Why the U.S. and Japan both want to strike a trade deal

Aug 21, 2019
Both sides are motivated to get a deal done.
Flags of the USA and Japan are seen while traders work at a foreign exchange trading company in 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.
Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images