BOJ Likely to End Bond Purchase Cuts Next Year, Ex-Official Says
The Bank of Japan will probably decide to stop reducing the amount of its government bond purchases in a plan for next fiscal year when authorities gather this month, as they eye a worrisome surge in JGB yields, according to a former BOJ board member.
Since last summer, the bank has been reducing its buying of government bonds by ¥400 billion ($2.8 billion) every quarter, but that process will come to a halt, former board member Makoto Sakurai said in an interview Monday in Tokyo.
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CNN
30 minutes ago
- CNN
Japan's annual births fall to record low as population emergency deepens
The number of newborns in Japan is decreasing faster than projected, with the number of annual births falling to another record low last year, according to government data released Wednesday. The health ministry said 686,061 babies were born in Japan in 2024, a drop of 5.7% on the previous year and the first time the number of newborns fell below 700,000 since records began in 1899. It's the 16th straight year of decline. It's about one-quarter of the peak of 2.7 million births in 1949 during the postwar baby boom. The data in a country of rapidly aging and shrinking population adds to concern about the sustainability of the economy and national security at a time it seeks to increase defense spending. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as 'a silent emergency' and has promised to promote more flexible working environment and other measures that would help married couples to balance work and parenting, especially in rural areas where family values tend to be more conservative and harder on women. Japan is one of a number of east Asian countries grappling with falling birth rates and an aging population. South Korea and China have fought for years to encourage families to have more children. Also on Wednesday, Vietnam scrapped decades-old laws limiting families to two children in an effort to stem falling birth rates. The health ministry's latest data showed that Japan's fertility rate – the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime – also fell to a new low of 1.15 in 2024, from 1.2 a year earlier. The number of marriages was slightly up, to 485,063 couples, but the downtrend since the 1970s remains unchanged. Experts say the government's measures have not addressed a growing number of young people reluctant to marry, largely focusing on already married couples. The younger generation are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children due to bleak job prospects, a high cost of living and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds extra burdens for women and working mothers, experts say. A growing number of women also cite pressure to take their husband's surname as a reason for their reluctance to marry. Under Japanese law, couples must choose a single surname to marry. Japan's population of about 124 million people is projected to fall to 87 million by 2070, with 40% of the population over 65.
CNN
39 minutes ago
- CNN
Japan's annual births fall to record low as population emergency deepens
The number of newborns in Japan is decreasing faster than projected, with the number of annual births falling to another record low last year, according to government data released Wednesday. The health ministry said 686,061 babies were born in Japan in 2024, a drop of 5.7% on the previous year and the first time the number of newborns fell below 700,000 since records began in 1899. It's the 16th straight year of decline. It's about one-quarter of the peak of 2.7 million births in 1949 during the postwar baby boom. The data in a country of rapidly aging and shrinking population adds to concern about the sustainability of the economy and national security at a time it seeks to increase defense spending. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as 'a silent emergency' and has promised to promote more flexible working environment and other measures that would help married couples to balance work and parenting, especially in rural areas where family values tend to be more conservative and harder on women. Japan is one of a number of east Asian countries grappling with falling birth rates and an aging population. South Korea and China have fought for years to encourage families to have more children. Also on Wednesday, Vietnam scrapped decades-old laws limiting families to two children in an effort to stem falling birth rates. The health ministry's latest data showed that Japan's fertility rate – the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime – also fell to a new low of 1.15 in 2024, from 1.2 a year earlier. The number of marriages was slightly up, to 485,063 couples, but the downtrend since the 1970s remains unchanged. Experts say the government's measures have not addressed a growing number of young people reluctant to marry, largely focusing on already married couples. The younger generation are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children due to bleak job prospects, a high cost of living and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds extra burdens for women and working mothers, experts say. A growing number of women also cite pressure to take their husband's surname as a reason for their reluctance to marry. Under Japanese law, couples must choose a single surname to marry. Japan's population of about 124 million people is projected to fall to 87 million by 2070, with 40% of the population over 65.
Entrepreneur
an hour ago
- Entrepreneur
Stride Green, Khari Foods, and The Tarzan Way Raise Early-Stage Funding
The Indian brands have announced their latest investment rounds. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Stride Green Raises USD 3.5 Mn Funding Led by Micelio Stride Green has raised USD 3.5 million in a seed round led by Micelio Technology Fund and Incubate Fund Asia, along with other strategic investors. The funding will be deployed to scale its tech-enabled asset financing and lifecycle management solutions for India's clean energy sectors, including electric mobility, battery storage, and renewable energy. It will also be used to expand the team and deepen technological capabilities. Founded by Ishpreet Gandhi and Vivek Jain, Stride Green is a climate-tech platform offering end-to-end leasing, financing, and lifecycle management services for sustainable businesses. Its proprietary technology stack provides real-time analytics, operational alerts, and insights that enhance asset performance and longevity. Currently, the Gurugram-based platform manages over 3,000 cleantech assets and partners with OEMs and logistics companies. "At Stride Green, we're driven by deep domain expertise and a clear purpose to develop innovative and scalable solutions for the climate-tech ecosystem," said Vivek Jain, Co-Founder and CEO. "With mission-aligned partners like Micelio and Incubate, we are empowered to deliver high-impact solutions for a more sustainable future." Stride Green now aims for vertical and geographic expansion, positioning itself as a critical enabler in India's green economy transition. Khari Foods Secures INR 3 Cr from Meri Punji IMF Grahill Wellness, the parent company of Delhi-based clean-label brand Khari Foods has raised INR 3 crore in a seed round led by Meri Punji IMF Private Limited to scale its healthy snacking footprint nationwide. The funds will be deployed toward product innovation, team expansion, R&D, and strengthening marketing and distribution across tier I and tier II cities. Founded in 2022 by Yash (Co-Founder and CEO) and Sunil Bansal (Co-Founder and COO), Khari Foods offers palm oil-free, maida-free snacks enriched with fibre and micronutrients. Its diverse product line includes Ragi Crispies, Beetroot Crispies, Jowar Puffs, Snack Mixes, and Dates-based sweets—designed for health-conscious consumers aged 20–40 in urban and semi-urban markets. "From day one, our focus has been on building a brand that delivers nutritious, flavourful snacks made for Indian tastes, without cutting corners," said Yash. "This INR 3 crore fundraise marks a pivotal moment for us, enabling faster growth and exciting new launches." Backed by a state-of-the-art facility in Haryana, Khari Foods stands out with proprietary formulations and end-to-end supply chain control. The brand is projecting a 208% jump in annual revenue run rate this year, underlining its momentum in India's evolving healthy snacking segment. The Tarzan Way Bags INR 2 Cr from Inflection Point Ventures and more Noida-based AI-powered travel tech startup The Tarzan Way has secured INR 2 crore in seed funding, led by Inflection Point Ventures, with additional backing from Your Trips Limited (UK), Prateek Maheshwari (Founder, PhysicsWallah), and other angel investors. The funds will be allocated towards product development (35%), operations (25%), marketing (20%), HR (15%), and miscellaneous needs (5%), including the launch of the startup's upcoming "Exploration App." Founded in 2020 by Shikhar Chadha and Shivank Tripathi, The Tarzan Way empowers users to design hyper-personalised, authentic holidays in seconds using AI. The platform combines deep tech with a storytelling approach to deliver immersive itineraries, a smart booking engine, 24/7 live concierge, and one-click travel planning. "Our passion lies in creating memories that last. We don't just plan trips; we help people craft stories that stay with them forever," said Shikhar Chadha, Co-founder. Ankur Mittal, Co-founder of Inflection Point Ventures, added, "Tarzan Way bridges the gap between rigid travel plans and chaotic self-planning, offering travellers smart, tailored experiences." With 300% YoY revenue growth, 70% MoM user growth, and INR 13.5 Cr in gross bookings, The Tarzan Way is quickly establishing itself as a global leader in experiential, tech-driven travel.
