economy

The Bank of Japan has decided to raise its policy interest rate to 1.25%! We’ll provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the background and reasons behind this move—which marks the highest level in about 31 years, since 1995—as well as its impact on exchange rates and stock prices, and the direct effects on mortgage and deposit rates that many are concerned about. We’ll also take a look at the outlook for future rate hikes and strategies for protecting household finances.

Explaining the Reasons Behind the Accelerating “Shift Away from Convenience Stores” in Recent Years! We analyze four key factors: the perception that prices are too high due to inflation, the rise of drugstores, and the decline in reasons to visit stores driven by the shift to cashless payments. We also examine the industry’s future, including the latest strategies from 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, as well as the future of 24-hour operations.

In August 2026, the number of corporate bankruptcies nationwide reached 827, exceeding 800 for the first time in 14 years. As the “three major risks”—rising prices, labor shortages, and rising interest rates—directly impact business operations, this article provides a thorough analysis from an expert perspective on the structural crisis facing the Japanese economy and offers four strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises to survive.

A thorough explanation of the reality of the “collapse of the middle class” unfolding in Japan, based on real-life changes in daily living. From rising prices and falling real wages to anxieties about housing, raising children, and retirement—why has it become so difficult to “live a normal life”? This book clearly unpacks the true nature of “stealth poverty” lurking right under our noses and outlines the practical steps individuals should take now to protect their livelihoods.

Will a 1% reduction in the consumption tax on groceries really help household budgets? While this measure is expected to result in an annual tax savings of approximately 42,000 yen, we provide a thorough analysis of how this benefit is being offset by a wave of price hikes and opportunistic price increases. We also discuss the risk of a tax hike two years from now and introduce steps you can take right now to protect your household budget.

The “wage gap” between large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) widened further during the 2026 spring wage negotiations. With the overall average exceeding 5%, why are SMEs struggling with a lack of funds? We provide a thorough analysis of the “barrier to passing on labor costs,” which is the primary cause, and the limitations of “defensive wage increases” driven by labor shortages.

Who stands to benefit from the Bank of Japan’s 2024 policy rate hike to 1%? Based on a video by financial planner Masato, this article clearly explains the economic downsides of a “preemptive rate hike” when inflation is below 2%, as well as the structure that allows vested interests—such as banks—to profit.

Is Japan’s economy truly recovering? While GDP for the January–March 2026 quarter, released today, rose by 1.8%, personal consumption remains sluggish. We take an in-depth look at the risks lurking behind this “economic expansion that feels nonexistent”—driven by resurgent inflation due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and falling stock prices—and examine how these factors will impact our wallets and mortgages.

Japan’s effective tax burden exceeds 50%. What is the true nature of the “de facto tax hikes” the government is hiding? A clear explanation of the top three egregious tax hikes: child-rearing support payments, the Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, and the Forest Environment Tax.

A Comprehensive Explanation of the True Nature of Japan’s 1,200 Trillion Yen National Debt. We clearly explain the mechanics of government bonds, the truths the Ministry of Finance won’t tell you, and the mechanism of credit creation, setting the record straight on common misconceptions about the Japanese economy.