Down to Business English Soaring Stocks and Semiconductor Success
Mar 22, 2024
Economic analysts Skip Montreux & Samantha Vega discuss Japan's Nikkei 225 index hitting new highs and TSMC's semiconductor plant opening. They analyze the impact on Japan's economy and global landscape while teaching business English vocabulary in an engaging manner.
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Nikkei Index Reaches 34-Year High
- The Nikkei Index reached a new high in February 2024 after 34 years, signaling optimism in Japan's stock market.
- Despite this, Japan's economy still faces challenges like sluggish GDP growth and borderline recession status.
Weak Yen Boosts Japan's Economy
- A weak yen benefits Japanese manufacturers like Toyota by increasing profits through currency conversion.
- It also attracts foreign investors to buy Japanese stocks cheaply, fueling the stock market rally.
Largest Wage Increase in Decades
- In March 2024, major Japanese companies agreed on a 5.28% wage increase, the largest in 33 years.
- This shows CEOs' long-term investment in workers, signaling economic recovery.