Long-term interest rates in Japan, which influence fixed mortgage rates, rose to their highest level in 17 years. On September 22nd, the yield on 10-year government bonds briefly reached 1.665 percent, marking the highest point since 2008.
In an innovative approach to electricity demand control, frozen tuna stored at minus 60 degrees Celsius are now being utilized. By temporarily shutting down refrigeration units and using the fish itself as a cooling agent to maintain storage temperatures, companies are beginning to reduce power consumption effectively.
The Consumer Affairs Agency recently announced that Ajinomoto and Inglewood are suspected of engaging in stealth marketing practices related to their frozen home-delivery meal brand, “Aete.” It is alleged that the companies asked individuals to post on social media in exchange for free products and later republished those posts on sales sites without clear disclosure.
Meanwhile, Seven-Eleven Japan has completed a large-scale overhaul of the store system used by approximately 21,000 outlets nationwide, five years after the project began. The new system represents a significant step in digital transformation by replacing the company’s traditional infrastructure with a cloud-based model designed to enhance efficiency and service quality.
On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan decided on September 19th to maintain its policy interest rate at 0.5 percent. This marks the fifth consecutive meeting without any rate change. The decision, supported by a majority of the Policy Board, comes as the central bank continues to monitor the impact of U.S. tariffs, known as the Trump tariffs, on the economy.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146970.php