51³Ô¹ÏÍø

author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access
Sayuri Shirai

Meta

Sayuri Shirai
Group of 20 leaders hold a working lunch at the group¡¯s summit in Osaka in June 2019. Japan is facing growing economic and geopolitical challenges as globalization gives way to a more fragmented world.?
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 20, 2026
Japan¡¯s challenge in a world moving beyond old alliances
The emerging world order is likely to be more fragmented, more competitive and more uncertain.
Japan¡¯s long-term growth will depend on leveraging its well-educated workforce, expanding digital capacity, and strengthening advanced sectors like AI and power semiconductors, while strategically investing in productivity.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 18, 2026
From stimulus to structure: Japan¡¯s next economic agenda
With a shrinking population and a rapidly aging society, the country is moving away from the demand-deficient conditions that characterized much of the post-bubble era.
The Japanese government's dependence on ad hoc spending measures and temporary revenue boosts conceals the real scope and effects of government expenditures, making fiscal transparency and clear reporting vital for economic accountability.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 8, 2026
Japan needs fiscal transparency more than ever
Oversized supplementary budgets, symbolic tax measures and broad transfers cannot substitute for clarity and coherence.
Climate action is uneven worldwide, with capacity gaps and rising challenges in climate-risk disclosure underscoring the need for inclusive minimum standards that all companies and countries ¡ª especially smaller firms and developing nations ¡ª can realistically meet to ensure an effective global response.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 27, 2025
Climate disclosure is advancing ¡ª but who¡¯s being left behind?
Global momentum for standardized climate-related disclosure remains strong, reflecting a desire to balance regulatory ambition with economic competitiveness.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (right) speaks during an Oval Office meeting on April 24 with President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (not pictured) to discuss tariffs.
COMMENTARY / Japan
May 4, 2025
A turning point in trade: The U.S. effort to reverse global imbalances
This large trade imbalance is also the primary driver of the U.S. current account deficit, largely due to the gap in goods trade.
Despite Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda¡¯s efforts to explain his thinking, many struggle to grasp the BOJ's position as businesses face high costs and weak demand while consumers deal with rising prices and stagnant wages.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jan 28, 2025
The Bank of Japan¡¯s communication challenges
Despite limited developments that would justify a policy shift since December, Japan¡¯s central bank nevertheless went ahead to raise interest rates.
Despite the challenges, including sluggish consumption and market volatility, the Bank of Japan's recent policy adjustments reflect a strategy aimed at ensuring a stable path toward its inflation goals.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 30, 2024
BOJ¡¯s recent policy changes highlight a shift toward global monetary practices
The BOJ¡¯s approach is influenced by global financial regulations and aims to balance market stability with effective monetary policy.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei index is on a roll, having broken its bubble-era record last week.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 27, 2024
What explains the recent surge in Japanese stock prices?
Japan needs for increase domestic capital investment, technological innovation and sound risk-taking to improve long-term competitiveness.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 19, 2023
The Bank of Japan faces a monetary policy conundrum
The BOJ may need to interpret the 2% price stability target more flexibly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 23, 2023
BOJ faces monetary policy challenges amid an inflationary environment
The BOJ with its monetary policies must navigate various structural issues, including population decline, aging and geopolitical tensions to achieve its desired price stability.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Mar 23, 2023
Will the new BOJ chief choose to maintain the status quo?
After 10 years of monetary easing under BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda, all eyes will be watching the central bank¡¯s next steps under its new chief, Kazuo Ueda.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 24, 2023
Can the BOJ¡¯s next governor resist calls to exit the ultraeasy monetary policy?
While Ueda will surely maintain the current policy for the time being, it is not clear whether he will take the risk of normalizing the monetary easing policy during his governorship.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 22, 2022
Why is the Swiss franc still a safe-haven currency?
While other leading safe-haven currencies have taken a hit as of late, the Swiss franc keeps going strong.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 21, 2022
Inflation, oil prices and the yen: What¡¯s behind the BOJ¡¯s tack?
Japan¡¯s inflation rate is around 1%, one of the lowest in the world. Why is Japan, which has been battling deflation for two decades, still the exception even as global inflation is rising?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 13, 2021
Will closer monetary-fiscal policy coordination lead to fiscal dominance?
As yield curves are already so flattened, central banks may need to rely more on reducing their holdings of government bonds to prevent an inversion of the yield curve.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 16, 2021
Will TSE reforms boost Japan¡¯s corporate value?
In a bid to attract more long-term investors, Japan plans to reform its primary stock market.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 15, 2021
Time for Tokyo to become a leading hub of green finance
With investor interest in sustainable finance growing globally, Japan is encountering a rare opportunity to turn Tokyo into one of the leading green financial hubs in Asia.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 7, 2021
Bank of Japan policy hurts sustainable finance
An expansion of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) investment and a sustainable finance market is essential for Japan¡¯s economy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 6, 2020
Changes afoot in the world of central banking
Further monetary easing may become inevitable for the U.S. Fed to make inflation targeting effective, and for the ECB to justify greater emphasis on the environment.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 14, 2020
Time for Japan to present a credible energy policy
The nation should not miss the opportunity to restructure its economic and energy-consumption structure for future generations.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER