Yoshiaki Nohara

Nobody likes a back-seat driver. Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda now has two — and they want to move at different speeds.

Bloomberg reporters answer your questions on what’s next for the BOJ on Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. HKT, 11 a.m. JST / Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. EDT

Japan has exited the phase for reflationary policy of aggressive monetary easing and nimble fiscal spending, according to Minoru Kiuchi, the nation’s economic growth strategy minister, who is known for his reflationary views.

President Donald Trump last year capped tariffs on Japan and South Korea at 15% in exchange for pledges by the two nations to invest a combined $900 billion in the US. The deals were part of Trump’s push to narrow US trade deficits with both countries that have long drawn the ire of the president. In the first half of 2026, Japan’s trade surplus with the US was $20 billion. The US trade shortfall with South Korea was much wider, at $50 billion.

Japan’s household spending fell for a ninth month even as wages continued to climb, showing consumers remain cautious as persistent inflation squeezes purchasing power.

A Japanese lawmaker known for his support of Taiwan said Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lauded him for a sanction placed on him by China.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly denied the notion that she’s responsible for a weak yen and high interest rates.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reiterated that she won’t rely on special deficit-covering bonds to fund a sales tax cut on food after her earlier remarks sparked speculation that she was changing her stance.

Last October, Sanae Takaichi became the first woman to stand at the lectern of Japan’s parliamentary hall as prime minister. Now, the test is whether she can deliver on her promises.

The prime minister has won public backing with a bold vision.