You have a question. Maybe it’s about finance, maybe it’s about Japan, or maybe it’s about neither of those things. Regardless of the topic, you know that google is right there in the next browser tab, and you know that google can definitely answer your question. So why don’t you just change tabs? It would be so easy. Yet you don’t change tabs. Why? Because you know, deep down, that it’s going to be much more fun to post your question right here, in r/JapanFinance’s Weekly Off-Topic Thread!
Questions on any topic are welcome. That means everything from “what will the JPY exchange rate be next month?”, to “what will the JPY exchange rate be next year?”, and even “should I exchange my USD for JPY yet?”. Just keep in mind that the sub’s rules still apply, and don’t forget to give yourself the “US Taxpayer” flair if it applies to you.
by AutoModerator
6 comments
say you got 300000 yen with only two options. would you buy JP autumn airplane ticket or would you buy stock?
are foam mats in JP homes common? why do they have them?
What department store credit cards have in-person, handwritten application? I tried signing up for EPOS in person at Marui Marui, but they apparently they changed their application to an online app that you do yourself.
# Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda Expresses Positive Outlook for Japan’s Economy; Warns Against Excessive Depreciation of Yen – Yomiuri Shimbun
Regarding future policy decisions, Ueda said, “If underlying inflation rises in line with the bank’s outlook, the appropriate degree of monetary accommodation from the perspective of achieving the price stability target will change, and the bank will adjust the degree of monetary accommodation.”
The BOJ changed the direction of its large-scale monetary easing policy by discontinuing its negative interest rate policy at its March monetary policy meeting and then made no further changes at the April 26 Monetary Policy Meeting.
The BOJ will consider making adjustments to monetary policy, such as additional interest rate hikes, while monitoring economic conditions and actual price trends, in order to achieve the 2% target stable price inflation rate.
Ueda expressed his view that “All of the indicators [that the BOJ is using to capture the trend in prices] have been rising gradually, meaning that underlying inflation is almost certainly rising. At this point, underlying inflation seems to be on a rising path toward the 2% level.”
Regarding recent foreign exchange markets trends, Ueda said, “Rapid depreciation of the yen is unfavorable for the Japanese economy as it increases uncertainty, such as by making it difficult for companies to pursue their business plans.”
After the BOJ decided to maintain its monetary policy in April, the yen depreciated in the foreign exchange markets, temporarily falling to the ¥160-per-dollar level on the expectation that the interest rate gap between the United States and Japan will widen.
Ueda said, “Monetary policy is not taken to directly control exchange rate.” Ueda added, “If exchange rate movements affect the underlying rate of price inflation, or if the risk of such movement increases markedly, we will need to take policy actions.”
In the quarterly Outlook for Economic Activity and Prices report released after the April meeting, the bank revised upward its forecasts for inflation rates excluding fresh food in fiscal 2024 and 2025 from its January forecasts and set its fiscal 2026 forecast at 1.9%. The outlook for inflation in fiscal 2024, as indicated in the report, was revised upward in consideration of the higher price of crude oil since January and the high level of wage hikes agreed at this year’s shunto spring wage negotiations.
Can you be a permanent resident *but not for tax purpose*?
For example, if one with PR leaves Japan with a 5 years re-entry permit, to go work in some other country. Living there, they would become tax resident in that country and (hopefully?) not taxed in Japan anymore, until they return.
How much do you guys spend on vacations every year? As percent of take home? I did some quick math and our family vacation this year is like.. 5% of our household take home (700k/14m).
I thought it was pretty cheap in terms of actual price but 5% seems high as a percentage lol. Especially compared to our mortgage payments which for one year is just over 10%. Basically paying half a house for annual vacations.