Topic: Bank of Japan

Four ways Japan disaster affects investors

When the world’s third-largest economy is hit with its worst earthquake ever, a tsunami, and a subsequent nuclear crisis, the human and physical toll has been enormous. The disaster is also sending ripples through the world economy. Here is a look at four ways the Japanese crisis changes the investment landscape:

Will the yen face a repeat of 1995?

After an earthquake in 1995, the yen appreciated quite a bit. But this time may be different.

Who will buy Japan's bonds?

Japan desperately needs to sell bonds to rebuild its infrastructure, but nobody's likely to want them.

Stocks drop: Dow below 12000 amid quake concerns

Stocks fall in US with Dow and S&P 500 dropping about half a percentage point. But drop in stock prices bigger in Europe and much larger in Japan.

Stock market sinks, led by utilities

Stock market falls with Dow dropping more than 100 points in wake of concerns about Japan earthquake. Stock prices in Japan fall more than 6 percent.

Stock prices drop to six-week low

Stock prices on global index fall in the wake of concerns about Japan's economy. Japan's stock prices on the TOPIX index plunge 7.5 percent.

Japan's economy in deep trouble? Look again.

Standard & Poor’s cut its rating on Japanese sovereign debt one notch last week, strengthening the naysayers. But with falling unemployment, large reserves, and rising corporate profits, 'Japan is punching well above its weight,' says one analyst.

2011 predictions: interest rates around the world

Currency analysts pay obsessive attention to economic factors that indicate the direction of interest rates, because interest rates represent the price of a currency. Any price change has a direct impact on the currency’s value. That can mean huge gains or losses for currency traders, but it also has a big impact on what savers earn, borrowers pay, consumers shell out for imported goods, and global companies plan in terms of compensation and hiring. In 2010, the stress on various currencies became clear, causing many central banks to push interest rates to record lows. Here’s a look at how those forces could play out in 2011 in six major regions of the world:

Slow decade ahead for US, not a lost one

US economy won't endure a 'lost decade' the way Japan did.

Would 'Japanification' be so terrible?

Japan's economy has deflated over 20 years, but consumer prices have held steady.

Japan gets its Tojo back: Will it save the foundering economy?

Japan's central bank economists have tried everything to keep their economy afloat, including record levels of quantitative easing. Will America follow its example?

Stock markets rise on hopes of Fed easing

Stock markets from Asia to Europe are higher, anticipating that the Federal Reserve will try to boost the struggling US economy.

This jobless recovery could be the worst yet

Shifting attitudes towards employees may make this recovery the weakest in 30 years for job creation.

Stock prices fall globally

Stock prices expected to fall in the US as well at the start of a key week of economic reports.

Naoto Kan government intervenes in currency market to weaken yen

Naoto Kan stamped his authority on government policy, making the yen less of a one-way bet — even if the effects of intervention prove to be short-lived.

Economy stuck? Print money. Watch out.

Central bankers have faced today's crisis before. But their new weapon, quantitative easing, could make the mess worse.

EU backstops euro with almost $1 trillion, US joins the fray

The EU has pledged $1 trillion in an attempt to stem its spreading debt crisis. The US is reopening its swap line with the ECB to support a once again fragile international banking system.

FOMC statement: US economy has picked up

With its FOMC statement, Federal Reserve says it will slow debt purchases.

Money Daily Brief: Japan sees 'signs of recovery'

Japan's ruling LDP lays out its campaign platform

Prime Minister Aso's long-ruling party is under fire as polls indicate strong support for the opposition Democratic Party of Japan. The vote is Aug. 30.

ECONOMIC SCENE: Will Fed’s stimulus send inflation soaring?

The central bank says it will pull back when the US recovers, but the timing is tricky.

Japan's $1 trillion to the rescue?

Ahead of the G-20 summit on the financial crisis, many are eyeing Japan's huge foreign reserves. But Tokyo is reluctant to use them on struggling nations.

Asia defends currencies even as stocks fluctuate wildly

Large foreign-currency reserves and overhauled regulatory systems have helped stability. Investors also seem to be better targeting which currencies are at risk.

Global economy gets global action on rates

In all, 22 nations have lowered interest rates since Monday.

As Wall Street tumbles, the world quakes

Markets from London to Tokyo fell on the news of Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy.