Overseas credit attracts Japanese investors weary of low yields
The renewed interest comes after crippling losses on fixed income globally coupled with a surge in the cost of currency protection had Japanese investors offloading overseas debt in 2022.
Same levy, different name: Reconstruction tax to be shifted to defense spending
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party's latest plan to fund a defense budget hike is to create a new defense tax.
Controversy grows over proposed use of Tohoku funds to cover defense spending
The government is eyeing using a special tax designed to finance reconstruction costs for areas affected by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Japan's financial watchdog examines bond slump risk if BOJ shifts policy
At stake is around ¥151.5 trillion ($1.1 trillion) in debt held by mega-banks and regional lenders.
Kishida's plan to fund higher defense spending faces backlash
The prime minister's suggestion of tax increases hasn't gone down well, even among Cabinet members and lawmakers from his own party.
Kishida dismisses using government bonds to finance defense budget hike
The prime minister says government bonds are not an option to cover defense spending increases due to the financial difficulties they would place on future generations.
Bank of Japan may ditch yield cap next year as inflation perks up
The Bank of Japan must guard against the risk of inflation well exceeding its expectations, says Takeo Hoshi, an academic with close ties to incumbent central bank policymakers.
Finance chief says Japan's fiscal restoration goal won't change with more defense spending
Shunichi Suzuki rejected calls from some ruling party lawmakers to issue new government bonds for the planned spending, saying that other stable funding sources are necessary.
Japan’s life insurers are dumping foreign bonds at a record pace
While the yen has already seen a strong rebound from its October low, expectations for further gains make it unlikely Japanese investors will rush back into foreign securities.
Investors wary of greenwashing in Japan’s $140 billion bond plan
The ambiguous name and a lack of details over what the proceeds would be used for are sparking concerns among investors.
Rakuten seeks $500 million in rare Japanese junk bond deal
The bond offering is gaining attention given the fledgling junk debt market in Japan, where weaker firms aren’t compelled to sell speculative-grade notes due to easy access to bank loans.
Japan’s credit ratings may hinge on BOJ policy changes, says S&P
Speculation has been building that the BOJ may start to withdraw its decade-old monetary stimulus next year as the yen’s fall driven by its policy helps accelerate inflation.
