On February 3, 2026, the Nikkei 225 surged 2,065 yen to close at an all-time high of 54,720. We analyze the driving forces behind the 5th largest daily gain in history, including the semiconductor rally revival, US market momentum, yen weakness, and the "Takaichi Trade" ahead of snap elections.

Japan's ALL JAPAN Natural Cheese Contest saw a record 284 entries from 121 workshops nationwide. As the weak yen drives up imported cheese prices, Japanese artisan cheesemakers are winning international acclaim with uniquely Japanese creations — from raclette aged alongside fermented sushi rice bacteria to cheese washed with ancient peat hot spring water. Discover the surprising depth of Japan's domestic cheese revolution.

In January 2026, the yen surged to the 155 level after reports that Japanese and US authorities conducted coordinated "rate checks," signaling potential currency intervention. We explain what this means for the Japanese economy amid election-driven fiscal policy debates.

Japan's 2025 trade deficit halved to ¥2.65 trillion, down 52.9% year-on-year. Record exports of ¥110.4 trillion were driven by strong electronic components and semiconductor shipments to Asia and EU. However, Trump tariffs caused the first decline in US-bound exports in 5 years.

The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its policy rate at 0.75% at the January 22-23, 2026 meeting. Despite raising rates to a 30-year high in December, the yen continues to weaken. We explore the impact on mortgage rates, future policy outlook, and reactions from Japan and around the world.

In 2025, Japanese agricultural corporation bankruptcies hit a record 103 cases. Learn about the structural challenges facing Japan's farming industry: weak yen, soaring material costs, labor shortages, and succession crisis, all while food self-sufficiency remains at just 38%.

In January 2026, Japan's top currency official warned of possible intervention as the yen fell to 159 per dollar. Learn about the background of the yen's weakness, Japan's history of currency intervention, and how the Takaichi administration's fiscal policies and election speculation are affecting markets.

As the yen plunges to 159 per dollar for the first time in 18 months, Japan's Vice Finance Minister Mimura warns that "all measures are on the table" for currency intervention. Explore the background of the rapid yen depreciation amid dissolution election reports, Japan's intervention history, and what lies ahead for the currency markets.

Japan's Finance Minister Katayama signals strong willingness to intervene in currency markets amid persistent yen depreciation. Despite the Bank of Japan's rate hike in December 2025, the yen continues to weaken to 157-level against the dollar, raising market concerns about potential intervention based on Japan-U.S. joint statement.

In December 2024, Finance Minister Kato expressed strong concern over yen weakness reaching 157 per dollar, warning of "appropriate response to excessive movements" and hinting at potential currency intervention. Analysis of Japan's over ¥15 trillion interventions in 2024, the US-Japan interest rate gap driving yen weakness, and impacts on living costs.