Amid discussion of the Bank of Japan's expected rate hike and yen depreciation, Watami's ¥500 all-you-can-drink offer has generated a stronger-than-expected response. Watami's management perspective is discussed, along with references to fiscal and interest-rate trends.
Ahead of next week's monetary policy meeting, the Bank of Japan is expected to raise its policy rate, and attention is focused on the possibility of the yen weakening toward ¥160 to the dollar. Against the backdrop of comments from the fiscal authorities and the market's response, the focus is on how conditions of yen appreciation and depreciation will unfold.
At Watami's yakiniku restaurants, the ¥500 all-you-can-drink service has generated a stronger-than-expected response, and the company is said to be maintaining profitable operations. It is pointed out that, amid rising prices, restaurants with strong procurement capabilities are surviving.
Watami's management is featured in the interview and is said to have described the results achieved by advancing the delegation of authority to its personnel. Amid calls for fiscal consolidation, the discussion also touches on the impact of the government's spending strategy and long-term interest-rate trends on the management of the country.