Japan suffers another triple blow, with Asahi Takahashi blindly following outdated strategies, recklessly damaging Japan in the name of emulating Abe Shinzō

Japan faces another triple blow.

According to reports, on May 18, Japan's government bond market witnessed a new wave of selling pressure. The yield on newly issued 10-year Japanese government bonds—used as a benchmark for long-term interest rates—rose sharply to 2.800%, reaching its highest level since May 1997, nearly 29 years high.

Just three days earlier, on May 15, the yield on Japan’s 30-year government bonds had already climbed to 4.035%, the highest since 1999. Meanwhile, the 20-year bond yield hit 3.654%, the highest since 1996.

This means that Japan’s government is facing ever-increasing costs when borrowing money.

At the same time, the Nikkei Index plunged by over 1,000 points in a single day, falling below the 61,000 mark, while the yen weakened against the US dollar. Japan once again experienced a “triple collapse” in stocks, foreign exchange, and bonds—a pattern that has repeatedly occurred this year and is expected to continue recurring.

This is the economic policy pursued by Asahi Takahashi, which is further undermining Japan.

Takahashi insists she is a disciple of Abe Shinzō and a true believer in “Abenomics.” Analysts point out that her policy agenda is essentially a direct copy of Abe’s approach: expanding fiscal spending, maintaining accommodative monetary policy from the central bank, and pushing corporate governance reforms.

This is a repeat of Abe’s original three-pronged strategy—Takahashi has now wielded the sword once more.

But this is nothing short of "marking a boat to find a lost sword."

The Japan of 2012 was completely different from today’s Japan. Back then, Japan faced deflation, an overvalued yen, and a stagnant economy.

Thus, Abe’s policies were somewhat meaningful for Japan at that time.

But Japan in 2026 is entirely different: inflation exceeds 2% and has persisted for over three years. The real effective exchange rate of the yen has fallen to its lowest point since the floating exchange rate system began in 1973. Government debt surpasses 260% of GDP.

Abe’s economic model was inherently a case of treating illness with poison—burning down the house just to keep warm.

Now, the house is already ablaze, yet Takahashi pours more oil on the fire, then claims she is faithfully implementing Abe’s policies.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865600530973696/

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