{
  "id": 8191732,
  "title": "Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high as central bankers fight inflation; retail sales rise in Great Britain – business live",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/japan-raises-interest-rates-to-31-year-high-as-central-bankers-fight",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-18T06:33:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2026/sep/18/japan-raises-interest-rates-central-bankers-fight-inflation-gb-retail-sales-rise-latest-news-updates"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Japan has raised its interest rates to a 31-year high in an effort to combat inflation, according to recent reports. The central bank's decision comes amid ongoing efforts to control rising prices and maintain economic stability. Meanwhile, in Great Britain, retail sales have shown a positive trend, with department stores reporting an increase in August following stock availability issues in July. Despite the inflationary pressures faced by households, overall retail sales have risen throughout the summer months, with online outlets, food stores, and retailers selling alcohol and beverages contributing to the growth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Bank of Japan raises rates, and might do so again soon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/bank-of-japan-raises-rates-and-might-do-so-again-soon",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Bank of Japan hikes key interest rate to 1.25%",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/bank-of-japan-hikes-key-interest-rate-to-1-25",
        "published": "2026-09-18T03:38:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News - Finance",
        "title": "Bank of Japan ups rates to 31-year high",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/bank-of-japan-ups-rates-to-31-year-high",
        "published": "2026-09-18T04:23:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Reserve Bank’s blunt warning just days before next interest rates decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/reserve-banks-blunt-warning-just-days-before-next-interest-rates",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:11:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Reserve Bank’s blunt warning just days before next interest rates decision",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/reserve-banks-blunt-warning-just-days-before-next-interest-rates-8191164",
        "published": "2026-09-18T06:11:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Manus on Markets: Yen drops after Japan raises interest rates to 31-year high",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/manus-on-markets-yen-drops-after-japan-raises-interest-rates-to-31",
        "published": "2026-09-18T08:19:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}