Markets anxious over Japan’s risk of ’negative spiral,’ top bank MUFG exec says

Japan's stock market has reached unprecedented heights this year, prompting a surge in stock splits among companies as they aim to attract more individual investors. Despite the overall market success, many retail investors find it challenging to participate in this upward trend due to high share prices.

Paramount has initiated a $108.4 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, escalating the competitive landscape in the media industry just days after Warner's shareholders accepted a significant deal with Netflix. This move marks one of the most audacious bids in corporate history, as Paramount seeks to assert its dominance in the entertainment sector.

Foreign investors are increasingly entering Japan's government bond market, which has historically been stable, leading to heightened volatility influenced by external trading activities. This influx marks a significant shift in investor behavior towards Japan's sovereign debt, raising concerns about market stability.

China's trade surplus has surpassed $1 trillion for the first time, defying President Trump's tariffs aimed at curbing its export growth. This milestone was achieved within just 11 months, indicating a robust performance in global trade despite ongoing tensions.

Japan has successfully developed a rare-earth supply chain independent of China over a 15-year period, positioning itself as a model for other nations seeking to reduce reliance on Beijing's critical metals. This initiative highlights Japan's strategic efforts to secure essential resources amid global supply chain vulnerabilities.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced plans to increase government spending, coinciding with discussions within the central bank about potentially raising interest rates. This move aims to stimulate economic growth amid ongoing challenges in the financial markets.

Japan's economy has confirmed a contraction of 1.8% in the third quarter of 2025, marking the first decline in six quarters, primarily driven by weak capital expenditure. This downturn raises concerns about the overall economic stability of the country, as the contraction is expected to have implications for future monetary policy decisions by the Bank of Japan (BOJ).

Japan's economy contracted by 1.8% in the third quarter of 2025, exacerbated by weak capital expenditure, which raises concerns about the country's economic stability. This contraction is seen as unlikely to influence the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) stance on interest rate hikes.