BoJ's Holdings Reach All-Time High

TOKYO, Apr 05 (News On Japan) - The legacy of the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) aggressive monetary easing policy -- often described as "unprecedented easing" -- has swelled to a record high as the fiscal year comes to a close.

According to documents released Friday by the BoJ, under policies aimed at keeping long-term interest rates low, the outstanding balance of government bonds—essentially the nation's debt—purchased in large quantities, has reached 589 trillion yen ($3.9 trillion), marking the largest amount recorded at the end of a fiscal year.

As of the end of March this year, the BoJ's holdings in ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds), essentially stocks, have risen to 37.1861 trillion yen, updating the record for the largest amount held at a fiscal year's end.

Kazuo Ueda, the Governor of the Bank of Japan, stated, "The Bank of Japan holds a significant amount of ETFs, but this measure was taken as a necessary action towards achieving our 2% inflation target."

During Friday's session in the Diet, Governor Ueda commented on the disposal of the large amount of ETFs held, stating that it "will be considered over time."

Source: TBS

Honda Unveils Next-Generation Hybrid Technology

Honda has introduced new hybrid technology that combines an engine and electric motors, as demand for electric vehicles rises in the push toward decarbonization.

Grief and Anxiety Grow After Fatal Kitakyushu Stabbing

The mourning ceremony for 15-year-old Nakashima Saya, who was fatally stabbed at a fast-food restaurant in Kitakyushu City, was held on Tuesday. The attack, which took place four days ago, left Nakashima dead and a male student seriously injured with a deep wound near his waist. Police continue to search for the suspect, who fled the scene immediately after the attack.

Sea Shepherd Founder Released After Denmark Rejects Extradition to Japan

Paul Watson, founder of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, who had been detained in Greenland, a Danish territory, has been released after Danish authorities rejected Japan's extradition request.

Daughter Comments on Father's Claim of Innocence at First Hearing

A woman who has come forward under her real name to accuse her father of sexual abuse criticized his not guilty plea during the first hearing, stating, "What daughter in the world would accept sexual acts from her father?"

Hyogo Governor Saito Under Criminal Investigation

A criminal complaint against Hyogo Governor Saito and a PR firm representative over alleged violations of the Public Offices Election Act has been accepted by investigative authorities, it was revealed.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Honda CEO Does Not Rule Out Possibility of Merger With Nissan

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has stated that while "nothing has been decided" regarding a merger with Nissan Motor, he did not rule out the possibility.

SoftBank's Son Meets with Trump, Pledges $100 Billion

SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son has announced a $100 billion investment in the United States, equivalent to approximately 15 trillion yen, following a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trump’s Florida residence on December 16. The investment is expected to create 100,000 jobs over the next four years.

Denny's to Raise Rice Prices

Denny's has announced that it will raise the price of rice dishes starting December 24th, citing soaring rice prices. The price hike will apply to small, regular, and large servings of rice, with each seeing an increase of 44 yen.

Keidanren to Appoint Nippon Life's Tsutsui as New Chairman

Keidanren has decided to appoint Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of Nippon Life Insurance, as the successor to current chairman Masakazu Tokura, who will retire in May 2025. This marks the first time a leader from a financial institution has been selected to head Keidanren.

Café Chains Reveal Bold Strategies

Japan’s café industry is witnessing a surge in competition as diversification and the arrival of international chains reshape the market. In response, several leading domestic café chains have adopted unique strategies to distinguish themselves, with their top executives sharing insights in a recent roundtable discussion.