December 24, 2025
United States:
Japan and US Agree to Expedite $550 Billion Investment Projects
Japan and the United States are set to speed up an initiative for Japan to invest $550 billion into the US, agreed as part of a broader trade deal to lower tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
“Ministers are aligned on expediting preparations so that the first project under the Strategic Investment Initiative could be announced as early as possible,” according to a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
Europe:
UK Stocks Dip, French Shares Rise in Thin Holiday Trading
UK shares edged lower and French shares climbed in thin trading, while most major European benchmarks were closed for Christmas holidays.
France’s CAC 40 Index gained 0.1% and the UK’s FTSE 100 was down 0.2% as of 9:09 a.m. in London. Stock exchanges in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland and Finland are shut through the day.
Asia:
Japan Budgeting for Bond Payments at 3% as Debt Servicing Soars
Japan’s Finance Ministry will set a key rate used to calculate the country’s likely interest payments on bonds next fiscal year at 3.0%, the highest in nearly three decades, according to people familiar with the matter.
The interest rate underpinning debt servicing costs in the year beginning April 2026 will rise from an initial 2.6% set during August’s budget request stage, according to the people.
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