A Challenging Year Ahead For Japan And Europe

High drama surrounds the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy decision next week, William reports. BOJ Governor Ueda is determined to end the many years of extreme monetary ease that have squelched Japan’s animal spirits. Prime Minister Takaichi is staunchly against his doing so now with Japan on the verge of a recession. The widespread expectation is a tightening move, which may put the two leaders on a collision course. … European Central Bank leader Lagarde is upbeat about the European economy’s resilience to recent months’ tariff chaos. But the economy will have to successfully navigate myriad risks to remain as well positioned in 2026.