Japan is back on money managers' radar screens, with Warren Buffett leading a wave of resurgent investor interest in its growth prospects.

But some say investing in Japan carries risks. Years of zero interest rates and an aging population are just a few of the barriers standing between the world's third largest economy, and a new era of growth and prosperity, powered by new ideas and structural reform.

Can Japan deliver on investors' expectations? Or is the rest of the world expecting too much too soon? Bloomberg's senior Japan economist and Bank of Japan veteran Taro Kimura joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at Japan's appeal, and whether it can deliver for investors.

Japan is back on money managers' radar screens, with Warren Buffett leading a wave of resurgent investor interest in its growth prospects.
But some say investing in Japan carries risks. Years of zero interest rates and an aging population are just a few of the barriers standing between the world's third largest economy, and a new era of growth and prosperity, powered by new ideas and structural reform.
Can Japan deliver on investors' expectations? Or is the rest of the world expecting too much too soon? Bloomberg's senior Japan economist and Bank of Japan veteran Taro Kimura joins hosts John Lee and Tom Corbett for a look at Japan's appeal, and whether it can deliver for investors.

Some of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets, economies and companies are in Asia. Every Thursday, John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence speaks with experts and newsmakers about the big ideas and trends moving money across the region.

Some of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets, economies and companies are in Asia. Every Thursday, John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence speaks with experts and newsmakers about the big ideas and trends moving money across the region.

Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

Can Japan Satisfy Wide-Eyed Foreign Investors?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7d8f1505-b26a-4aeb-a9a8-b028002160aa/transcript

China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.

But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.

China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.
But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.

Can China Pivot to Consumption-Led Growth? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0bff4c74-91b9-48db-aba4-b40a0039a4e7/transcript

Opportunities in fixed income are the best in over a decade, according to BlackRock. Investors can now build a 6% yielding portfolio without taking on the substantial credit or long-duration risks required in the past. Meanwhile, central bank policies have become desynchronized globally, creating a unique environment where Asian local bonds are negatively correlated to US debt. This wide dispersion in rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for investors to diversify portfolios and differentiate returns.

Navin Saigal, head of global fixed income, Asia Pacific at BlackRock, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He discusses how the AI and tech revolution is driving productivity gains and high GDP growth alongside a net-negative job environment — a dynamic that could put a dampener on global inflation. Saigal also explains why Asian local bonds remain among the most compelling, yet under-owned, diversification opportunities in the market today.

Opportunities in fixed income are the best in over a decade, according to BlackRock. Investors can now build a 6% yielding portfolio without taking on the substantial credit or long-duration risks required in the past. Meanwhile, central bank policies have become desynchronized globally, creating a unique environment where Asian local bonds are negatively correlated to US debt. This wide dispersion in rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for investors to diversify portfolios and differentiate returns.
Navin Saigal, head of global fixed income, Asia Pacific at BlackRock, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He discusses how the AI and tech revolution is driving productivity gains and high GDP growth alongside a net-negative job environment &mdash; a dynamic that could put a dampener on global inflation. Saigal also explains why Asian local bonds remain among the most compelling, yet under-owned, diversification opportunities in the market today.

Fixed Income Enters A Golden Age, Says BlackRock

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/501c15e8-c940-45e6-b77d-b4030078eb0c/transcript

The US dollar is under pressure again as shifting geopolitical risks – from uncertain tariff policies to the Greenland controversy – drive a renewed case for currency diversification and weigh heavily on the greenback. This is being compounded by a widening global policy rift: the Federal Reserve remains on track for multiple rate cuts this year, while other central banks, including Australia and Japan, move in the opposite direction.

Is the 15-year dollar bull market officially over? Audrey Childe-Freeman, Chief FX Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the dollar’s recent trajectory. She also discusses why the Swiss franc, euro, Australian dollar, and gold have strong tailwinds in 2026.

The US dollar is under pressure again as shifting geopolitical risks &ndash; from uncertain tariff policies to the Greenland controversy &ndash; drive a renewed case for currency diversification and weigh heavily on the greenback. This is being compounded by a widening global policy rift: the Federal Reserve remains on track for multiple rate cuts this year, while other central banks, including Australia and Japan, move in the opposite direction.
Is the 15-year dollar bull market officially over? Audrey Childe-Freeman, Chief FX Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the dollar&rsquo;s recent trajectory. She also discusses why the Swiss franc, euro, Australian dollar, and gold have strong tailwinds in 2026.

Geopolitical Risks Are Sinking The Dollar Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b4199f44-4739-43b1-90d9-b3fc00c6ae13/transcript

Can Japan Satisfy Wide-Eyed Foreign Investors?

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