Japan has started its largest-ever release of oil from its national reserves as part of a global effort to stabilize supply and counter the economic effects of war in the Middle East. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/26/economy/japan-oil-reserves/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #oil #energy #japaneseeconomy #trade #economicsecurity

Japan's dependence on imported fuels and critical materials, exposed by Middle East tensions, underscores energy security as a strategic link between policy, corporate decisions and economic stability. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/03/25/japan/japan-iran-global-energy-market/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #japaneseeconomy #defense #us #israel #iran #persiangulf #straitofhormuz #donaldtrump #russia #ukraine #china #sanaetakaichi

The key inflation gauge for Japan slowed to its weakest pace in nearly four years as utility subsidies cooled energy costs, with the recent surge in oil prices likely to fuel a resurgence in coming months. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/24/economy/consumer-prices-february-inflation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #japaneseeconomy #inflation #economicindicators #oil #energy

Japan's largest labor union group said its workers secured an average pay increase exceeding 5% for a third straight year. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/23/companies/rengo-labor-unions-wage-hikes/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #rengo #unions #wages #japaneseeconomy #boj

Japanese stocks fell after U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of attacking power plants around the Strait of Hormuz exacerbated market concerns over climbing oil prices and fueled risk-off sentiment. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/23/markets/nikkei-drops/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #markets #nikkei #stocks #oil #japaneseeconomy

People in Japan plan to spend ¥6,383 on average for cherry blossom viewing this year, down 13.8% from the previous year, amid consumer concern over inflation, survey shows https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/22/japan/japan-cherry-blossom-viewing-budget-falls/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #cherryblossom #cherryblossomviewing #inflation #japaneseeconomy

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's trip to the U.S. reinforced the Japan-U.S. partnership through diplomacy, defense coordination and economic investment amid heightened global tensions. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/editorials/2026/03/20/takaichi-outperforms-again/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #editorials #sanaetakaichi #usjapanrelations #us #donaldtrump #china #xijinping #iran #straitofhormuz #sdf #defense #japaneseeconomy #useconomy

The Bank of Japan kept its policy interest rate unchanged at its March meeting, with Gov. Kazuo Ueda citing the situation in the Middle East — which is fueling economic uncertainty — as the reason behind the decision. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/19/economy/boj-maintain-rate/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #boj #middleeast #oil #japaneseeconomy #kazuoueda #wages #inflation

Japan's seasonally adjusted core machinery orders in January fell 5.5% from the previous month, after a spike driven by large-scale orders in December, Cabinet Office data showed Thursday. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/19/economy/japan-machinery-orders-january/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #economy #japaneseeconomy #machineryorders

Many major Japanese companies have fully accepted their unions' pay hike demands as this year's spring labor-management negotiations reached a climax. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/03/18/companies/major-firms-pay-hike-demands/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #japaneseeconomy #unions #shunto #wages #toyota #hitachi #mitsubishielectric #nec #fujitsu #mitsubishiheavyindustries #kawasakiheavyindustries #ihi