Economic news(2025/04/25)
JA Zennoh wins bid for stockpiled rice; "Only 24% shipped" - distribution is an issue
2025-04-25 23:37:00
Regarding the government's stockpiled rice, some small and medium-sized supermarkets have complained that it is not available, and the issue of how to distribute it has become an issue. In the midst of this, JA Zennoh, the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations, which has won more than 90% of the stockpiled rice auctions so far, announced that it has shipped 24% of the rice it won to its customers.
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Japan-U.S. Finance Ministers' Meeting: "The U.S. side makes no mention of exchange rates" - Yen falls
2025-04-25 20:14:00
As the market focuses on whether the Trump administration will seek to correct the strong dollar in the Japan-US negotiations, Finance Minister Kato met with Treasury Secretary Bessent in Washington early on the 25th (Japan time) to discuss foreign exchange and other issues. Minister Kato revealed that the US side had not mentioned anything about exchange rate targets, and in response, the view that the yen would continue to appreciate receded in the foreign exchange market, causing the yen to fall in value.
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Hitachi Construction Machinery estimates impact of US tariffs: "Operating profits could fall by 30 billion yen"
2025-04-25 19:46:00
Hitachi Construction Machinery, a major construction machinery manufacturer, has revealed that its operating profits could be pushed down by around 30 billion yen from this fiscal year onwards due to the impact of the Trump administration's tariff policies.
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Second round of Japan-U.S. tariff talks next week; focus on agricultural products
2025-04-25 19:39:00
The second round of ministerial negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration is expected to take place in Washington next week, and Prime Minister Ishiba has instructed his cabinet to advance preparations for the negotiations in order to achieve results that benefit both Japan and the U.S. One of the focal points of the negotiations is expected to be the treatment of agricultural products such as rice and potatoes, but there are voices within the government and ruling party that say, "We should not compromise easily."
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Second round of Japan-U.S. tariff talks next week; focus on agricultural products
2025-04-25 18:55:00
The second round of ministerial negotiations regarding the tariff measures of the Trump administration is expected to take place in Washington next week, and Prime Minister Ishiba has instructed his cabinet to advance preparations for the negotiations in order to achieve results that benefit both Japan and the U.S. One of the focal points of the negotiations is expected to be the treatment of agricultural products such as rice and potatoes, but there are voices within the government and ruling party that say, "We should not compromise easily."
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Exchange rates at the mercy of Trump policies [Economics Column]
2025-04-25 18:21:00
How long will these wild fluctuations in foreign exchange rates continue? The foreign exchange market is at the mercy of President Trump's words and actions, with factors of relief and concerns alternating rapidly. What did the Japan-US meeting on the 25th between Finance Minister Kato and Treasury Secretary Bessent bring about, which became a major turning point? Will the market's "doubts" be dispelled? (Economics reporters Magata Kentaro, Sato Takahiro, Saito Mitsutaka)
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Yen exchange rate falls. Views that the yen will continue to appreciate in light of the Japan-U.S. finance ministers' meeting have receded.
2025-04-25 18:13:00
On the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 25th, the yen fell as expectations of a further appreciation of the yen receded following the meeting between the Japanese and US finance ministers.
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June electricity and gas rates: 8 electricity companies and 4 city gas companies all lowered their prices
2025-04-25 18:12:00
The electricity bills billed in June by the top 10 electric power companies have been reduced by eight of the 10 companies due to a drop in fuel prices for thermal power generation.
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58 securities companies to make multi-factor authentication mandatory for online stock trading
2025-04-25 18:09:00
In response to a recent spate of cases where securities accounts have been hijacked and unauthorized buying and selling of stocks and other transactions has been carried out, 58 securities companies have announced that they will make it mandatory to implement a security measure called "multi-factor authentication" to verify identity.
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March department store sales fall below same month last year; tax-free sales also fall due to strong yen
2025-04-25 18:05:00
Sales at department stores nationwide last month fell for the second consecutive month compared to the same month of the previous year. Sales of duty-free goods to foreign tourists fell for the first time in three years as people refrained from purchasing expensive items due to the appreciation of the yen.
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Jimoto Holdings to escape from government control, decision to reinstate dividends on preferred shares
2025-04-25 17:05:00
The Miyagi and Yamagata-based financial group Jimoto Holdings has decided to restore dividends to the preferred stocks that the government has held following the injection of public funds, citing the prospect of securing a certain level of final profits in the last fiscal year's settlement. The restoration of dividends will eliminate the government's voting rights, meaning that the company will essentially be released from under its management.
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Stock prices rise Buy orders for many stocks, mainly export-related
2025-04-25 16:40:00
On the 25th, the Tokyo stock market saw the Nikkei average rise as buy orders were placed on many stocks, particularly those related to exports, due to expectations that trade friction between the US and China would ease.
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U.S. airlines, beverage companies and others are withdrawing or lowering earnings forecasts
2025-04-25 15:27:00
As concerns grow over a slowdown in the U.S. economy in the wake of the Trump administration's tariff policies, major U.S. airlines and other companies are revising downward or withdrawing their earnings forecasts for this year.
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"Preparing for negotiations that will benefit both Japan and the U.S." Prime Minister Ishiba on tariffs
2025-04-25 14:42:00
Regarding the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed his cabinet members to continue preparations for the next ministerial negotiations with the aim of achieving results that benefit both Japan and the United States, and to communicate through various channels that investment and job creation by Japanese companies are contributing to the American economy.
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The revised law that allows investments with Lapidus in mind is passed and enacted in the House of Councilors plenary session.
2025-04-25 14:42:00
On the 25th, the House of Councilors passed and enacted an amendment to allow the government to invest in Rapidus through an independent administrative agency, with a view to mass-producing cutting-edge semiconductors.
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Seven & i Holdings' next president: "Expand convenience store network to South America and Europe"
2025-04-25 14:27:00
Stephen Hayes Dacus, who is set to become the next president of Seven & i Holdings, revealed in interviews with media outlets that he plans to expand the convenience store network into South America and Europe and globalize the business.
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Cabbage imports in March 47.6 times higher than the same month last year due to reduced domestic shipments
2025-04-25 13:20:00
The amount of cabbage imported in March was 47 times higher than the same month last year due to a drop in domestic shipments.
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Stock prices temporarily rise by more than 700 yen, with purchase orders for export-related stocks
2025-04-25 13:13:00
On the 25th, the Nikkei average rose by more than 700 yen at one point on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In addition to expectations that trade friction between the US and China will ease, concerns about the strong yen have eased as the exchange rate target was not on the agenda at the Japan-US finance ministers' meeting, and buy orders are being placed on export-related stocks.
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Google's parent company reports third-month earnings increase, advertising revenue and other revenues rise
2025-04-25 13:11:00
Alphabet, the parent company of the American IT giant Google, reported increased revenue and profits for the three months to March due to increased advertising revenue from its search site.
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Expo to hold "Beyond 5G" technology introduction event starting next month, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
2025-04-25 12:50:00
At the Osaka-Kansai Expo currently underway, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will be holding an event starting on the 26th of next month to introduce technologies that are expected to be realized in the future through the next-generation communications standard known as "Beyond 5G."
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Stock prices rise Buy orders for export-related stocks
2025-04-25 12:13:00
On the Tokyo stock market on the 25th, the view that the yen would continue to appreciate following the meeting between the Japanese and US finance ministers receded, and buying orders were placed on export-related stocks, causing the Nikkei average to rise.
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Japan-U.S. Finance Ministers' Meeting: "The U.S. side makes no mention of exchange rates" - Yen falls
2025-04-25 12:00:00
As the market focuses on whether the Trump administration will seek to correct the strong dollar in the Japan-US negotiations, Finance Minister Kato met with Treasury Secretary Bessent in Washington early on the 25th (Japan time) to discuss foreign exchange and other issues. Minister Kato revealed that the US side had not mentioned anything about exchange rate targets, and in response, the view that the yen would continue to appreciate receded in the foreign exchange market, causing the yen to fall somewhat.
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"Preparing for negotiations that will benefit both Japan and the U.S." Prime Minister Ishiba on tariffs
2025-04-25 11:37:00
Regarding the tariff measures taken by the Trump administration, Prime Minister Ishiba instructed his cabinet members to continue preparations for the next ministerial negotiations with the aim of achieving results that benefit both Japan and the United States, and to communicate through various channels that investment and job creation by Japanese companies are contributing to the American economy.
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Intel cuts management positions, etc.: "Tariff policy could lead to unstable developments"
2025-04-25 11:33:00
Intel, a major American semiconductor manufacturer, has announced plans to cut management positions and capital expenditures as it tries to turn its business around. In addition, regarding the impact of the Trump administration's tariff policy on future business performance, the company said, "This year could be volatile depending on the final agreement between the United States and other countries."
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Tokyo's 23 wards' April consumer price index up 3.4% from the same month last year
2025-04-25 10:58:00
The Consumer Price Index for Tokyo's 23 wards this month, excluding fresh food which is subject to large fluctuations due to weather, was 3.4% higher than the same month last year in the preliminary figures. In particular, the price of rice, which continues to rise in price, rose by more than 93%, an increase of more than 4 percentage points from last month and a new record high.
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The yen has fallen slightly, and expectations that the yen will continue to appreciate have receded.
2025-04-25 10:41:00
On the Tokyo foreign exchange market on the 25th, the yen fell somewhat as the view that the yen would continue to appreciate faded after the US side did not discuss exchange rate targets at the Japan-US finance ministers' meeting held early in the morning on the 25th Japan time. A market insider commented, "Because Treasury Secretary Bessent had said before the meeting that there were 'no specific currency targets' for Japan, many investors took the content of the meeting as expected, and it did not lead to any major price movements. Also, with important events such as the Bank of Japan's monetary policy meeting coming up next week, it is unlikely that prices will move in a one-sided manner."
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Tokyo's 23 wards' April consumer price index up 3.4% from the same month last year
2025-04-25 08:59:00
The Consumer Price Index for Tokyo's 23 wards this month, excluding fresh food, which is subject to large fluctuations due to weather, was 3.4% higher than the same month last year in the preliminary figures. The rate of increase was 1.0 percentage point higher than last month's 2.4%, reaching the 3% range for the first time since July of last year.
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Japan-U.S. Finance Ministers' Meeting: "Exchange rate level not discussed by the U.S. side" [Explanatory video]
2025-04-25 08:15:00
Minister of Finance Kato, who is visiting the United States, met with US Treasury Secretary Bessent in the early morning of the 25th (Japan time) to discuss issues such as foreign exchange. Minister Kato stated in a press conference after the meeting that the US side did not discuss exchange rate targets or a framework for managing foreign exchange, and that the two sides agreed to continue to hold close discussions on foreign exchange.
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G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting Concludes: Tariffs Raise Concerns
2025-04-25 07:17:00
The meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20, the major 20 countries, held in Washington, D.C., concluded in the early hours of the 25th, Japan time. The meeting was marked by a series of concerns from each country that the Trump administration's tariff measures are having a negative impact on the economy, and the issue now is whether the G20 can cooperate in the future to achieve the free and open economy that they have been aiming for.
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Finance Minister Kato meets with U.S. Treasury Secretary: "The U.S. side did not discuss exchange rates"
2025-04-25 06:57:00
Minister of Finance Kato, who is visiting the United States, met with US Treasury Secretary Bessent in the early morning of the 25th (Japan time) to discuss issues such as foreign exchange. Minister Kato stated in a press conference after the meeting that the US side did not discuss exchange rate levels, targets, or frameworks for managing exchange rates, but revealed that the two sides agreed to continue to hold close discussions on foreign exchange.
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Germany cuts 2019 economic growth forecast to zero due to tariffs
2025-04-25 06:19:00
Germany, Europe's largest economy, has released its latest forecast for this year's economic growth rate, lowering its outlook to zero growth due to the impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
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New EV sales in the EU up this year compared to last year, Tesla's sales down sharply
2025-04-25 06:05:00
The number of new electric vehicles (EVs) sold in the European Union (EU) this year has increased compared to last year, but American EV manufacturer Tesla has seen a significant drop of over 40%, likely due to backlash against CEO Elon Musk's political comments.
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Ruling and opposition parties actively debate consumption tax, with opinions calling for lowering it or eliminating it temporarily
2025-04-25 05:10:00
Regarding the handling of the consumption tax, within the Liberal Democratic Party, the House of Councillors side has expressed the opinion that the tax rate should be reduced. On the other hand, within the Constitutional Democratic Party, many support the idea of temporarily eliminating the consumption tax on food, and Noda, the party leader, is making adjustments to reach a decision as early as the 25th. With an eye on the House of Councillors election in the summer, discussions are becoming lively within both the ruling and opposition parties.
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Government to present automakers' US investment plans for Japan-US negotiations
2025-04-25 05:08:00
In preparation for the Japan-US negotiations over US tariffs, the government is compiling investment plans and other information from Japanese automakers in the US, and is considering presenting them at the next round of negotiations. The government hopes that each manufacturer will demonstrate their willingness to continue contributing to the US economy, which will help boost the negotiations.
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Nissan expects biggest loss ever; focus on business restructuring and tariff response
2025-04-25 05:05:00
Nissan Motor, whose business performance continues to deteriorate, has revised down its forecast for the last fiscal year, announcing that it expects a final deficit of up to 750 billion yen. In addition to implementing a drastic restructuring plan, the focus will be on responding to the tariff policy of the Trump administration in the United States.
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