Reuters Asia Business

By Takaya Yamaguchi TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s government is set to compile a record $735 billion budget for the fiscal year from April due to larger social security and debt-servicing costs, adding to the industrial world’s heaviest debt, a draft seen by Reuters showed. The 115.5 trillion yen draft budget is being compiled as the Bank …

Japan’s budget to hit record, but with reduced new bond issuance, draft shows Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s commerce ministry said on Wednesday it would extend its anti-dumping investigation into brandy originating from the European Union by three months, less than the full extension allowed under its previous guidance. The probe, which was launched on Jan. 5 and due to be completed in a year, will be extended to April …

China extends EU brandy anti-dumping investigation by three months Read More »

By Miho Uranaka, Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu TOKYO (Reuters) -Private equity firms KKR and Bain Capital each offered more than $5 billion in first-round bids for the non-core assets of Japan’s Seven & i Holdings, according to people familiar with the matter. KKR offered around 800 billion yen ($5.1 billion) for York Holdings, an …

Exclusive-KKR and Bain each bid more than $5 billion for Seven & i assets, sources say Read More »

By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -The Bank of Japan expects the economy to move closer to sustainably achieving the central bank’s 2% inflation target next year, Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Wednesday, suggesting the timing of its next interest rate increase was nearing. But he warned of the need to scrutinise the fallout from “high …

BOJ’s Ueda expects further progress in hitting price target next year Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – Efforts will continue in 2025 to stabilise and prevent further declines in China’s real estate market, China Construction News reported, citing a work conference held by the housing regulator on Tuesday and Wednesday. China will vigorously promote the reform of the commercial housing sales system, and expand the scope of urban village …

China to focus on stabilising housing market in 2025, housing regulator says Read More »

By Mariko Katsumura TOKYO (Reuters) – On the face of it, the duo hardly seem fit to inspire confidence as the brains behind Japan’s newest stock fund: one, a former comedian and the other, every bit the stereotypical “otaku” geek. But their maiden fund, announced on Wednesday, may be the Christmas gift that followers of …

Japan’s comedian-turned-investor launches fund with ex-Goldman ‘stock geek’ Read More »

By Leika Kihara TOKYO (Reuters) -A leading indicator of Japan’s service-sector inflation rose to 3.0% in November, accelerating for a second straight month, data showed on Wednesday, backing up the central bank’s view that rising wages are prodding more firms to pass on higher costs. Service-sector inflation is being closely watched by the Bank of …

Japan corporate service inflation rises, bolsters BOJ rate-hike odds Read More »