Naomi Hasegawa

Japan Debt-Financing Concern Clouds BOJ’s Bond Buying: Economy

Some Bank of Japan board members are concerned that increased bond purchases by the central bank may be viewed as financing government deficit spending, minutes of last month’s meeting show.

Overseas Central Bank Yen Asset Buys Prop Up Bonds, Currency

An increase in Japanese-asset holdings as overseas central banks diversify foreign-exchange reserves may be supporting government bond prices and pushing the yen higher.

Japan Exports Fall a Second Month as BOJ Sees Weakness on Europe: Economy

Japan’s exports fell and the central bank lowered its assessment of the economy for a second straight month as weakening demand in Europe and Asia weigh on the outlook for global growth.

Miyao Wanted $130B BOJ Stimulus as Risks Rose

Bank of Japan board member Ryuzo Miyao said the central bank needed to boost asset-purchase program by 10 trillion yen ($130 billion) amid an increase in downside risks for the economy, a record of last month’s board meeting showed.

BOJ Cuts Its Assessment of the Economy as Europe’s Debt Woes Spur Slowdown

The Bank of Japan cut its economic assessment as Governor Masaaki Shirakawa called the European debt crisis the biggest danger for the nation’s export-led recovery.

Japan Credit Rating Cut by S&P on Absence of Strategy to Curb Debt Levels

Japan’s credit rating was cut for the first time in nine years by Standard & Poor’s as persistent deflation and political gridlock undermine efforts to reduce a 943 trillion yen ($11 trillion) debt burden .

Japan's 10-Year Bonds Advance Most in Two Weeks on European Debt Concern

Japan’s bonds rose the most in almost two weeks as speculation Europe’s debt crisis will spread caused investors to seek the refuge of government debt.

Swap Rate Bets Signal BOJ’s Shirakawa Will Never Raise Rates: Japan Credit

Masaaki Shirakawa may become the first Bank of Japan governor since the 1990s to finish his term without raising interest rates as entrenched deflation and the yen’s surge weaken the world’s third-biggest economy.

Japan's Five-Year Notes Fall as Stock Gains Curb Demand for Safer Assets

Japan’s five-year notes fell for the first time in a week as a rally in stocks around the world damped demand for the relative safety of government debt.

Smallest Yield Gap in 19 Years Adds to Yen Struggle for BOJ: Japan Credit

The Bank of Japan, struggling to keep the strengthening yen from derailing efforts to repair the world’s third-largest economy, is facing a new challenge -- the shrinking yield gap between two-year sovereigns and Treasuries.

"It's significant that Governor Shirakawa discussed the Japan-U.S. interest rate gap, and specifically the two-year term, at a time when the yen is strengthening."

- Naomi Hasegawa on Aug 15, 2011

Japan

Tokyo

Europe

China

WTI Crude Recovers After Falling on Signs of Weaker Fuel Demand

Jobless Claims in U.S. Jump to Highest Level in Six Weeks

U.S. Stock Futures Decline on Jobless Claims, Home Data

European Stocks Little Changed Near Highest Since 2008

Japan GDP Jumps Most in Year as Consumers Open Wallets