That will be the beginning of the end of the current doomed experiment in neoliberalism.
I can't really pinpoint why Japan needed to experiment with Neo liberalism. Their economy was going smoothly and they thought of playing with another approach. That's where, I think, they have masturbated.
Now, the situation is out of control and I don't think they can even reprimand it.
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I don't know much about Japan, so this is a serious question: what is meant by neoliberalism here?
From Wikipedia:
Neoliberalism, also neo-liberalism,[1] is a term used to signify the late-20th-century political reappearance of 19th-century ideas associated with free-market capitalism.
So as per this definition, the sentence could be interpreted that they shouldn't have experimented with reducing coercion? Slavery was working and if it ain't broken, don't fix it?
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Watch princes of the yen
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Yes. Very good documentary.
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Wow, it was just one guy who ruined their currency for 30 years.
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Scapegoat
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"That will be the beginning of the end of the current doomed experiment in neoliberalism", what a strange conclusion, printing money for 30 years has nothing to do with liberalism, new or old. Japan is still paying its credit bubble the collapse of fiat currencies is slow but guaranteed the question is which major currency is next?
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Japan's Central Bank needs to put BTC and maybe even gold on their balance sheet. They have nothing hard backing it, hence the consistent devaluation.
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They're not alone.
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That'll fix it.
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“Currency diplomat”= fall guy
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What is a currency diplomat anyway? These fancy titles everywhere smell USSR times
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It's the guy that takes the blame when moronic policies inevitably fail. Gotta have a fall guy.
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Due to the weak yen, several common household items have seen significant price increases:
  1. Imported food items: Prices of imported foods like beef, pork, shrimp, and produce have increased by 1.5 times or more compared to 2022-2023, making it difficult for households to maintain a healthy diet on a budget[1][3].
  2. Energy and fuel: The weak yen has led to higher power bills, as Japan relies heavily on imported energy resources like crude oil, coal, and natural gas. This has resulted in a record value of imports, further straining household budgets[1][2].
  3. Other imported goods: The prices of various imported goods, such as electronics, clothing, and other consumer products, have also risen due to the weak yen, further reducing household purchasing power[3][5].
These price increases have significantly impacted Japanese households, eroding their purchasing power and making it challenging to maintain a stable cost of living.
Sources [1] Supply Chain Latest: A Weak Yen Hits Japanese Consumers https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-04-20/supply-chain-latest-a-weak-yen-hits-japanese-consumers [2] Weak yen stokes Japanese concern over strong rise in import prices https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Inflation/Weak-yen-stokes-Japanese-concern-over-strong-rise-in-import-prices [3] Weaker yen pinches household budgets in Japan - Nikkei Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/Weaker-yen-pinches-household-budgets-in-Japan [4] Japan concerned more about negative aspects of weak yen, finance ... https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/japan-concerned-more-about-negative-aspects-weak-yen-finance-minister-says-2024-05-28/ [5] Japan Faces Pressure As Weak Yen Hits Households - Finimize https://finimize.com/content/japan-faces-pressure-as-weak-yen-hits-households
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The Bank of Japan (BOJ) plays a key role in influencing the value of the yen:
  1. Monetary policy: The BOJ's ultra-loose monetary policy, including maintaining near-zero interest rates, has contributed to the yen's weakness against other major currencies like the US dollar. The interest rate differential between Japan and the US makes investing in US assets more attractive, putting downward pressure on the yen.
  2. Foreign exchange intervention: The BOJ buys and sells yen for foreign currencies to stabilize the exchange rate of the yen. It has intervened in the past to support the yen when it has weakened excessively.
  3. Providing yen liquidity: The BOJ provides yen liquidity to overseas account holders by accepting yen deposits, acting as a custodian for yen-denominated securities, and providing liquidation services for Japanese Government Securities (JGSs).
  4. Monitoring and analysis: The BOJ closely monitors economic and financial conditions, both domestically and globally, to assess the impact of exchange rate movements. It uses extensive research and analysis to guide its monetary policy decisions.
  5. Transparency and communication: The BOJ aims to enhance transparency by immediately releasing its monetary policy decisions, holding regular press conferences, and publishing the Summary of Opinions and minutes of its Monetary Policy Meetings.
However, the BOJ's ability to control the yen's value is limited, as exchange rates are ultimately determined by market forces. The yen's recent weakness is also driven by factors beyond the BOJ's control, such as the divergence in monetary policy between Japan and the US, and the strength of the US dollar.
Sources [1] [PDF] Functions and Operations of the Bank of Japan https://www.boj.or.jp/en/about/outline/data/foboj10.pdf [2] Bank of Japan (BOJ): Organization, Monetary Policy, Transparency https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bankofjapan.asp [3] Japanese Companies Struggle With Weak Yen (JPY USD) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-02/japanese-companies-struggle-with-yen-s-continued-weakness [4] Japan's yen falls to its weakest since 1990 against the dollar https://apnews.com/article/japanese-yen-dollar-currency-exchange-rate-2226ed50c429c6faf76da05bcab77c0c [5] For Japan Inc., the weak yen may be too much of a good thing https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/05/01/economy/japan-inc-weak-yen/
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The Japanese yen has been steadily weakening against the US dollar over the past three years, reaching a low of 160.17 yen per dollar in April 2024, a level not seen since 1990[1][2]. There are several key reasons for the yen's decline:
  1. Interest rate differential: The US Federal Reserve's benchmark interest rate is currently 5.25-5.50%, while the Bank of Japan's rate remains at 0-0.1%, creating a significant gap that makes investing in US assets more attractive[1][4].
  2. Divergent inflation: The US has grappled with high inflation, prompting the Fed to raise rates, while Japan has struggled to achieve price and wage increases, leading the BOJ to maintain its ultra-loose monetary policy[1][3].
  3. Market momentum: As the yen falls, investors sell it, creating a self-fulfilling cycle that discourages exporters from converting foreign earnings into yen, further reducing demand[2][5].
  4. Cautious BOJ: The BOJ has been gradual in normalizing its monetary policy, raising rates slightly but maintaining a cautious stance, which has contributed to the yen's weakness[3][4].
The weaker yen benefits Japanese exporters by making their products cheaper for foreign buyers, but it also increases the cost of imports, putting pressure on household budgets[1][2]. Japanese authorities have intervened to support the yen, but the large interest rate gap is expected to persist in the near term[1][4].
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Japanese businesses have several key concerns about the weak yen:
  1. Increased costs of imports: The weak yen makes imported raw materials, parts, and finished goods more expensive, squeezing profit margins. This is a particular challenge for companies that rely heavily on imports[1][3][5].
  2. Difficulty passing on higher costs: Many firms are struggling to pass on the higher costs to consumers due to competitive pressures, further eroding profits[3].
  3. Negative impact on consumer spending: The higher costs of living due to the weak yen is dampening consumer spending power and demand, especially for discretionary items like travel[3][5].
  4. Excessive volatility: While a gradual weakening of the yen can benefit exporters, the rapid and excessive depreciation makes it difficult for companies to plan and adjust. An exchange rate above ¥155 to the US dollar is seen as less advantageous[1][5].
  5. Potential disruption to supply chains: There are concerns that an excessively weak yen could negatively impact the entire supply chain, beyond just the importing companies[5].
  6. Psychological impact: The weak yen is having a large negative psychological impact, with some executives worried it will discourage younger consumers from traveling abroad[5].
Overall, while a weak yen can boost profits for exporters in the short-term, the current rapid depreciation is causing significant challenges and concerns for a wide range of Japanese businesses.
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