News

Foreign investors bought -1,249.9 billion yen in Japanese bonds in the week ending August 14, compared with a revised -56.7 billion yen in the previous week (originally -58.7 billion yen).

Japan's seasonally adjusted merchandise trade balance for July was -686.009 billion yen, compared to a forecast of -407.6 billion yen and a previous reading of -881.9 billion yen.

Japan purchased 1,135.1 billion yen in foreign bonds in the week ending August 14, compared with a revised 1,636.7 billion yen in the previous week (originally 1,629.4 billion yen).

Foreign investors bought 621.2 billion yen worth of Japanese stocks in the week ending August 14, compared with a revised figure of -368.6 billion yen in the previous week (originally -368.5 billion yen).

Japan's unadjusted merchandise trade balance for July was -634.5 billion yen, compared with a forecast of -680 billion yen and a revised previous figure of -409.9 billion yen (originally -406.9 billion yen).

Japan's merchandise imports rose 27.8% year-on-year in July, below the expected 26.5% and the previous month's 25.40%.

Japan's merchandise exports rose 23.2% year-on-year in July, below the expected 19.9% ​​and the previous month's 19.30%.

US President Trump: Announced the toughest economic sanctions in history against Iran, which will be an unprecedented economic war and isolation.

According to Nikkei, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will seek 7.7 trillion yen in its fiscal year 2027 budget.

The Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, has killed two people and injured six.

Canadian Minister for U.S. Trade, LeBlanc: The Prime Minister had a constructive and important dialogue with the provincial premiers regarding negotiations with the U.S.

The British Foreign Secretary condemned the Israeli government's issuance of a tender for the E1 settlement project and announced that he would summon the Israeli chargé d'affaires to the UK.

According to Nikkei: Itochu Corporation is entering the data center field, planning to build 10 data centers in Japan.

Australian Foreign Minister: Will summon Israeli ambassador regarding Israel's decision not to pursue criminal charges in connection with the deaths of Australian aid workers.

According to Al Jazeera: A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the Trump administration has begun discussions on Syrian sovereignty and Israel's right to self-defense.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 119.71 points, or 0.22%, to close at 53,463.11 on Wednesday, August 19; the S&P 500 rose 16.50 points, or 0.21%, to close at 7,708.26; and the Nasdaq Composite rose 41.38 points, or 0.16%, to close at 26,331.09 on Wednesday, August 19.

The outstanding U.S. public debt has more than doubled since 2017. Of this, $11.6 trillion was added during Trump's two terms as president, and $8.4 trillion during Biden's term.

US President Trump: Interest rate levels are absurd.

US President Trump: He believes Federal Reserve Chairman Warsh has performed exceptionally well.

US President Trump: I have the right to cut off all business dealings with a country.