yen

Japan is partially turning off the tap of decades of cheap money, moving to support the yen after prolonged currency weakness. The shift in monetary policy is being framed as an effort to defend the currency, with coverage suggesting Washington's position — described as an 'American friend' — played a supporting role in Tokyo's decision to rein in ultra-loose policy.

The Bank of Japan has signalled that it may raise interest rates sooner than markets had anticipated. The move marks another step away from Japan's long-running ultra-loose monetary policy, and investors are likely to reassess their expectations for the yen, bond yields and Japanese equities as the possibility of an earlier hike firms up.

A former Bank of Japan official says an interest rate hike at the central bank's October meeting is a real possibility, Bloomberg reports. The comment adds to speculation over when the BOJ will raise rates further, a decision closely watched by global markets given its impact on the yen and international borrowing costs.

A former Bank of Japan executive has said the central bank could raise interest rates again in the near term, adding to speculation about the pace of Japan's exit from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy. Markets and analysts are watching closely, as further hikes by the Bank of Japan would affect the yen, bond yields and global carry trades.

US Treasury yields have climbed into the 5% range amid simultaneous interest rate hikes by the US and Japan — the first American hike in three years and two months. Commentators are watching how higher yields and a firmer yen ripple through growth stocks, with the FANG+ and NASDAQ 100 indices seen as most exposed to the shifting rate environment.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for the European Union to establish an emergency response framework for migration, arguing the bloc needs faster tools to handle sudden surges in arrivals. The proposal would give the EU standing mechanisms to coordinate border management and burden-sharing at short notice, and is likely to intensify debate among member states over migration policy.

The US dollar slipped while the Japanese yen rallied after remarks from Japanese officials, and oil prices eased, weighing on currency markets. Traders are watching whether the yen's move signals potential intervention concerns or a shift in Japanese policy talk, while softer oil prices are reshaping expectations around inflation and central bank policy.

NTT Docomo will raise the monthly fee for its budget mobile brand ahamo from December, with an increase of just 165 yen. Older OCN Mobile ONE plans will also be affected. The small size of the hike is drawing attention, with observers suggesting Docomo is keeping the rise modest to avoid pushing customers toward rival low-cost carriers such as Rakuten Mobile or others.

Family Guy is releasing a new Halloween special that sends the show's characters to hell, with Kieran Culkin voicing the Devil. The first trailer for the episode has been released, and fans of the long-running animated comedy are sharing and discussing the preview as the Halloween season approaches.