Long-term interest rates in Japan, which influence fixed mortgage rates, have risen to their highest level in 17 years. On September 22nd, the yield on 10-year government bonds briefly reached 1.665 percent during trading, 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 used as natural cooling agents. By temporarily shutting down refrigeration units and relying on the fish itself to maintain storage temperatures, companies are beginning to reduce power consumption effectively.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Agency announced that Ajinomoto and Inglewood are suspected of engaging in stealth marketing practices related to their frozen home-delivery meal brand, “Aete.” The companies allegedly asked individuals to post about the products on social media in exchange for free items and later republished those posts on their sales websites.
In retail news, Seven-Eleven Japan has completed a large-scale overhaul of the store system used by approximately 21,000 outlets nationwide. This milestone comes five years after the project was initially conceived. The new system marks a significant step in the company’s digital transformation, replacing traditional infrastructure with a cloud-based model designed to enhance both efficiency and customer service.
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 a rate change. The decision, supported by a majority of the Policy Board, reflects the central bank’s cautious approach as it monitors the impact of U.S. tariffs, commonly known as the Trump tariffs, on the economy.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146971.php
