Japan Economic News and Analysis

Global | Japan | Macro

Japan’s Trade Balance Swings to a Deficit in May as a Weak Yen and AI-Linked Demand Lift Trade Values
June 18, 2026August 15, 2026

Japan’s merchandise trade balance returned to deficit in May 2026, recording a shortfall of about 378.6 billion yen, or roughly 2.36 billion US dollars, on an unadjusted basis. The figures were released by Japan’s Ministry of Finance on 17 June 2026 in the provisional trade statistics for the month. The result marked the first monthly…

Read More Japan’s Trade Balance Swings to a Deficit in May as a Weak Yen and AI-Linked Demand Lift Trade Values
Global | Japan | Macro | Markets

Bank of Japan Raises Rate to 1%, Its Highest Since 1995, and Signals More to Come
June 17, 2026August 15, 2026

The Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate to around 1.0% from 0.75% on 16 June 2026, lifting borrowing costs to their highest level since 1995 and signalling that further increases are likely. The 25-basis-point move marked another step in the central bank’s gradual exit from the ultra-loose monetary policy that defined Japan for…

Read More Bank of Japan Raises Rate to 1%, Its Highest Since 1995, and Signals More to Come