By 2010 almost 1 in 5 companies limped along because of bailouts and other financing relief, rather than tackling their fundamental problems, Bloomberg News reported. In 2008 three economics professors, one from Japan and two from the US, coined a term for these enterprises: “zombie companies.” Now the country’s financial landscape is changing. In March 2024 the Bank of Japan increased interest rates for the first time in 17 years, reflecting an improving economic climate and rising prices.
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Japan's jobless rate rose to its highest in over a year, signaling a slight loosening of the labor market as speculation swirls over a Bank of Japan rate hike in the near term, Bloomberg News reported. The unemployment rate rose to 2.6 per cent in August from 2.3 per cent in the previous month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported Friday, against a median economist expectation of 2.4 per cent . Separate data from the labor ministry showed that the job-to-applicant ratio ticked down to 1.20 from 1.22.
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Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said inflation was on track to durably hit the bank's target but warned of global uncertainties that could discourage firms from raising wages, leaving himself a free hand on whether to raise interest rates in October, Reuters reported. Ueda reiterated the central bank's resolve to continue raising still low interest rates if the economy and prices move in line with its forecasts.
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Sydney pub baron Jon Adgemis has declared bankruptcy owing more than $1.8bn to suppliers and creditors, News.com.au reported. The embattled publican made the call after funding was pulled from lenders and ahead of a court appearance against the Australian Taxation Office, where they planned to recoup $162m in tax obligations. Mr Adgemis founded Public Hospitality during the pandemic, adding 22 pubs and development projects across Sydney and Melbourne. But it was all funded through short-term, high interest loans.

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