Bonds

12 January 2026
Monks rehearse ringing the bell a few days before the actual New Year's Eve ritual at the Chion-in temple in Kyoto, the headquarters of the Jodo Shu Buddhist sect.
Earlier this year, a "flight to quality" move pushed investors to seek out gold while the AI boom pushed up global stock markets in the latter half of 2025. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters and Akira Kodaka)
Trading Asia

Investors get ready for 2026 with gold and AI rally strength in focus

Trump and tech boom weigh on market's mind; Asian currencies could capitalize on dollar weakness

29 December 2025
Long-term Japanese government bond yields have climbed amid concerns about Tokyo issuing more debt to fund its spending plans. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Bonds

Japan to shorten maturities of JGBs issued in fiscal 2026

Shift reflecting weak demand risks raising future interest burden

27 December 2025
Asset Management One plans to launch five Japanese bond ETFs in January, covering bonds of varying maturities. (Photo by Takuya Fujisawa)
Finance

Mizuho unit to debut Japan's first active government bond ETFs

Asset Management One funds seen helping absorb increased debt issuance

25 December 2025
Concerns about the further deterioration of Japan's fiscal health is a key factor behind the recent selling of government bonds. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Bonds

Japan 10-year government bond yield hits 2.1%, highest since 1999

Investors bet on prospects of central bank continuing to raise rates

22 December 2025
South Korea's central bank announced temporary measures on Dec. 19 to boost the supply of dollars in the onshore foreign exchange market.
Markets

South Korea ready to take preemptive measures to stabilize markets

Regulator says there is caution over rising bond yields, volatility in foreign exchange rates

21 December 2025
The Tokyo headquarters of Japan's Ministry of Finance. Ministry officials met with primary dealers in the Japanese government bond market on Dec. 12. (Photo by Nikkei)
Bonds

BOJ monetary policy should be a factor in JGB offering plans: market players

Cut issuance of ultralong government bonds, primary dealers tell Finance Ministry

13 December 2025
Japan's Ministry of Finance. The cost of insuring against Japanese government defaults is rising. (Photo by Kei Higuchi)
Bonds

Default insurance costs for Japan government bonds hit 2-year high

Credit default swaps market weighs Takaichi's plans to ramp up fiscal spending

11 December 2025
If the Bank of Japan raises the policy rate, households could enjoy higher interest income. (Photo by Miki Kamiyama)
Bonds

Japan borrowing costs seen doubling if benchmark yield surges to 2.5%

Higher rates a burden on regional banks but boost to household savings

10 December 2025
Japanese companies are issuing more foreign-currency bonds overseas, including speculative-grade debt. (Nikkei montage)
Bonds

Japan foreign-currency bond offerings break annual record at $160bn

Facing small debt market at home, companies look abroad for growth capital

9 December 2025
As concerns over its ability to pay back debt mounted, Vanke's publicly traded bonds plunged by more than 50%. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Getty Images)
Trading Asia

China's property crunch throws state-backed developer into turmoil

Vanke's bond extension request signals waning government support

8 December 2025
The yield on 10-year Japanese government bonds climbed above 1.9% for the first time in 18 years on Dec. 4. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Bonds

Japan long-term bond yields hit 18-year high on inflation expectations

Consumers and investors alike see price growth as here to stay

5 December 2025
Debt at Chinese property developer Country Garden totaled $125 billion at the end of June.
China debt crunch

China's Country Garden wins shareholder approval for $13bn bond issue

Proceeds from convertible bond sales to go toward offshore debt restructuring

4 December 2025
Market watchers expect the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates twice by the end of 2026, with an 80% chance of a hike in December 2025.
Bonds

Japan 10-year yields seen rising on bets of rate hikes, more spending

Despite strong bond auction, bearish investors keep 10-year yield near 1.9%

3 December 2025
The yield on two-year Japanese government bonds has eclipsed 1% for the first time in more than 17 years. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Bonds

2-year Japan government bond yields rise above 1% on BOJ hike speculation

Yen strengthens as investors perceive clues in Gov. Ueda's speech; stocks fall

1 December 2025
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has advocated for a responsible, proactive fiscal policy. (Photo by Ken Suzuki)
Politics

Japan cabinet proposes $117bn extra budget, clouding outlook for surplus

60% of Takaichi's spending plan to be covered by new borrowing

29 November 2025
Vanke's headquarters in Shenzhen. S&P has downgraded the indebted Chinese developer.
China debt crunch

S&P downgrades China Vanke, calls financial commitments unsustainable

Debt woes at high-profile developer rekindle real estate crisis worries

28 November 2025
SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son is going all-in on artificial intelligence, with retail bonds serving as one funding channel.
SoftBank

SoftBank issues cumulative $64bn in retail bonds to power AI ambitions

Japanese tech giant accounts for over 40% of such floats in home market

27 November 2025
Japan expects to bring in record tax revenue in fiscal 2025, but this is set to be outpaced by spending in its supplementary budget.
Economy

Japan to fund supplementary budget with $74bn in new debt

Upgraded tax revenue forecast falls short of cost of Takaichi's economic package

27 November 2025
Many shoppers in China wait for products to go on sale before buying.
Bonds

China's long-term yields sink below Japan's for first time

World's No. 2 economy shows signs of falling into deflationary spiral

26 November 2025
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has advocated for more stimulus in a bid to spur economic growth, as well as to cut certain taxes to support households struggling from inflation. (Photo by Marina Inoue)
Bonds

Japan bond yields climb amid signals for more fiscal stimulus

Takaichi's expansionary policy fuels fears; JGB yields at highest level in decades

21 November 2025
Katsutoshi Inadome, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. (Photo by Nanami Sato)
Markets

Japan not immune to 'Truss shock' risk under expansionary policy: analyst

Domestic 10-year yields could climb to 1.8% by year-end, says Sumitomo Mitsui Trust's Inadome

8 November 2025
Berkshire Hathaway, led by renowned investor Warren Buffett, last issued yen-dominated bonds in April.
Bonds

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway plans another yen bond sale

Expected offering spurs buying of Japanese trading-house shares

7 November 2025
Yields on 10-year government bonds in New Zealand have dropped below those in Australia.
Bonds

New Zealand long rates dip below Australia's, hinting at global slowdown

Countries' 10-year yields previously flipped during global economic crises

30 October 2025
Takaichi vs. Ueda: While concerns over "the Trump tariffs" have somewhat eased, domestic politics are now creating complexities. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Suzuki, Seiko Ota and Akira Kodaka)
Trading Asia

BOJ early rate hike bets recede amid potential Trump, Takaichi impacts

Volatile yen and fragile US economy weigh on Japanese central bank decision

27 October 2025
The selection of Satsuki Katayama, center of middle row, as finance minister by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, bottom center, has eased investor concerns about fiscal expansion.
Bonds

Ultralong Japan bond yields cool as Takaichi allays investors' fiscal fears

New leadership doesn't seem poised for undisciplined spending, analysts say

24 October 2025
Japanese companies are shifting toward issuing more short- and medium-term bonds over previously preferred long-term ones. (Photo by Konosuke Urata)
Bonds

Japan companies issue shorter dated bonds as rate hike looms

Record $16.7bn, or 70% of quarter total are short or medium

23 October 2025
Michio Saito thinks that interest rates are unlikely to come down for the time being. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Bonds

Japan household investment in JGBs needed: former Finance Ministry director

Michio Saito says bond market not worried about Takaichi as prime minister

21 October 2025
Investor anxiety has started to ease as the odds seem to favor LDP chief Sanae Takaichi becoming the country's new leader. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)
Equities

Japan stocks soar 3% to record high as 'Takaichi trade' reboots

LDP leader closer to becoming prime minister; US credit fears ease

20 October 2025
Wealthy investors in Asia, sitting on piles of cash built up since the pandemic, are looking to hedge their bets, shifting their assets out of U.S. equities and into the Chinese stock market and gold. (Nikkei illustration)
Trading Asia

Wealthy Asians raise exposure to China, fixed-income, gold as trade war rages

Region is home to the world's second-largest group of ultrawealthy investors

20 October 2025