Japan Financial News

Asia’s latest factory activity data showed some loss of momentum midway through the third quarter, but a broad continuation of growth in output and orders. Views among manufacturers on the sector’s outlook were mixed amid uneven price and demand developments through the region, though many were cautiously upbeat. S&P Global’s manufacturing purchasing managers index readings for Japan and South Korea signaled improvement in August, while those for India, Thailand, Taiwan and Malaysia indicated expansions in manufacturing, though at a slower pace.

Tata Motors is looking to consolidate its position in the SUV segment as it marks its entry into the highly competitive mid-size space which is currently dominated by South Korean and Japanese carmakers. The Mumbai-based auto major on Monday launched midsize SUV coupe Curvv with petrol and diesel powertrains with a price starting at Rs 9.99 lakh. The company has already unveiled the electric version of the model in August. The model would be competing with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Honda Elevate, among others.

Shalini is a crypto reporter who provides in-depth reports on daily developments and regulatory shifts in the cryptocurrency sector.

Asian shares are mixed in cautious trading ahead of the Labor Day holiday in the U.S., when stock exchanges will be closed

MUFG), Japan's largest mega bank with close to $3 trillion in assets, last week placed its biggest bet in India: It doubled an existing investment with a further commitment of ₹4,712 crore on DMI Finance. Masakazu Osawa, Asia Pacific CEO for the bank, tells Joel Rebello the group has only started its investment journey in India and would increase exposure in the economy tipped to be the world's third biggest soon. Edited excerpts: You doubled down on your investment in DMI Finance last week. What is the strategy for investments in India?

«This is the first time independent India has seen such impetus or focus on developing infrastructure, both from the government and the private sector, such as road network, improvement of stations, world class airports, sports stadiums, convention centers,» said Mandeep Lamba, president and CEO, South Asia, HVS Anarock, while moderating the session. Tourism in India grew 300% YoY in 2023, said MakeMyTrip executive officer Rajesh Magow. «We have to create awareness and change the perception of the country, because people (tourists) also worry about security and safety.» Tourism in India is only at 85% of what it was in 2019 before the Covid pandemic hit, he said.

Nitesh Kumar secured a medal in men's singles SL3 category after a commanding straight-game win over Japan's Daisuke Fujihara in the semifinals at the Paris Paralympics on Sunday. The 29-year-old Nitesh, who overcame permanent leg damage from a 2009 accident, showed his dominance with a 21-16 21-12 win over Fujihara in a 48-minute semifinal. The IIT Mandi graduate thus ensured that India return with a medal from the SL3 category, after Pramod Bhagat clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo. SL3 class players, like Nitesh, compete with more severe lower limb disabilities, requiring play on a half-width court.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is to be reconstituted soon, as per its usual schedule, and its revised composition will be of interest. The approach so far has been to have three members from RBI, including its governor, and three external members. These members are appointed by the central government for a term of four years.

India were assured of a second medal in badminton with Manisha Ramadass setting up a women's singles SU5 semifinals duel with compatriot Thulasimathi Murugesan at the Paris Paralympics here on Sunday. The 19-year-old Manisha, who was born with Erb's palsy which affected her right arm, had no trouble in dispatching Japan's Mamiko Toyoda 21- 13 21-16 in the quarterfinals. Erb's palsy is a nerve disorder in the shoulder and arm that results in weakness or loss of muscle function. The second seeded Indian left-hander needed 30 minutes to down her unseeded rival.

Europe, setting the stage for policymakers in both regions to lower interest rates in September. On a three-month annualized basis, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of underlying US inflation advanced 1.7% in July, the slowest this year. In Europe, consumer prices rose 2.2% in August from a year ago — the tamest since mid-2021 and significantly lower than the 2.6% pace a month earlier. Meantime, inflation in Tokyo — a leading indicator of the national data due in September — picked up speed in August, supporting the case for the Bank of Japan to continue raising rates at a gradual pace as the bank balances the need to support the economy.

small cars are set to make a strong comeback, say experts. A recent surge in two-wheeler sales is an indication of improving sentiment at the entry level of the personal mobility market, according to the experts. An expanding pool of two-wheeler owners looking to upgrade to four-wheelers, and the need for affordable and efficient mobility solutions in metro cities and urban areas also suggest that demand for small cars is set to pick up, and they expect the segment to return to the path of growth by 2026. Maruti Suzuki, the car market leader for which small cars were the bread and butter until a few years ago, is expected to enhance its portfolio of such models beyond the Alto, offering a mix of petrol, CNG and electric options. Some reports say the local unit of Japan’s Suzuki Motor is already testing small electric vehicles.

Japan is a nation so hardworking its language has a term for literally working oneself to death

Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya led South Delhi Superstarz to a record-breaking T20 total of 308/5 against North Delhi Strikers in the Delhi Premier League on Saturday. Arya, with a century-making performance, added 120 runs from 50 balls, featuring 10 sixes and 10 fours. His standout moment came in the 12th over, where he hit six consecutive sixes off Manan Bhardwaj’s over. The partnership between Badoni and Arya, which yielded 286 runs, now stands as the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 cricket, surpassing the previous record of 258 runs set by Japan’s Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake and Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming. Badoni was rightfully named 'Player of the Match' for his game-changing performance. Badoni, renowned for his explosive batting, smashed an astounding 19 sixes, setting a new world record for the most sixes in a T20 innings. His innings of 165 runs off just 55 balls included eight fours and 19 sixes, surpassing the previous record held by Chris Gayle and Sahil Chauhan, who had both hit 18 sixes in a T20 innings.

Japan’s Defense Ministry has sought a record 8.5 trillion yen or $59 billion budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China’s increasing threat

equity indices closed at all-time highs on Friday tracking continued gains in the rest of Asia, the market ending on a positive note in August after witnessing sharp swings for most of the month. The Nifty gained 0.3%, or 83.95 points, to close at 25,235.9. The Sensex rose 0.3%, or 231.16 points, to close at 82,365.77. Analysts expect the indices to gain up to another 2% on technical factors but warn against betting on one-sided moves in the near term amid continued concerns that parts of the market might be overheated. The outcome of the rate-setting meetings of US Fed and the Bank of Japan scheduled in September will determine the market direction next month.

Federal Reserve will cut interest rates modestly in September. U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July, suggesting the economy remained strong while prices rose moderately.

Rachel Wolfson has been covering the cryptocurrency, blockchain and Web3 sector since 2017. She has written for Forbes and Cointelegraph and is the host and founder of Web3 Deep Dive podcast.

Japan's Defense Ministry Friday sought a record 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) budget for the next year to fortify its deterrence on southwestern islands against China's increasing threat, while focusing on unmanned weapons and AI to make up for the declining number of servicemembers as a result of the country's shrinking population. The ministry's request for 2025 marks the third year of Japan's rapid five-year military buildup plan under the government's ongoing security strategy. Japan aims to spend 43 trillion yen ($297 billion) through 2027 to double its annual military spending to around 10 trillion yen, making it the world's third-largest military spender after the United States and China. The budget request was approved at the Defense Ministry meeting Friday ahead of a submission to the Finance Ministry for negotiations through December.

Harvey Hunter is a Junior Content Creator at Cryptonews.com. With a background in Computer Science, IT, and Mathematics, he seamlessly transitioned from tech geek to crypto journalist.

Startups raised a total funding of about $1.47 billion in August 2024, marking an 89% increase from the same period last year, when they had raised a total of $779 million across 123 rounds. Startups, primarily in the early and late stages, secured funding through 86 rounds, according to data from the private market intelligence platform Tracxn. In July 2024, startups raised around $718 million from 72 rounds.

Global shares are mostly higher as markets continued to be moderately optimistic about the prospects of technology companies and the relative health of global economies