Podcasts

Japan's central bank kept its powder dry at its March policy review and held off from bolstering its record stimulus policy. Economists believe that BOJ governor Kuroda Haruhiko could produce further stimulus measures in July as the economy absorbs the negative rate strategy the bank introduced in January. So, where does that leave investors tempted to put their money into Japan's markets? Can they get good returns, or are the risks too high? Juliette Foster was joined in the studio by Richard Aston, Manager of the Japan Income & Growth Fund at Coupland Cardiff Asset Management.

The House of Lords will consider a series of amendments to the government's controversial Trade Union Bill when it goes before peers on Wednesday. Condemned by critics as "undemocratic", the bill would only allow workers to go on strike if more than 50% of them voted for industrial action. Employers would also have the authority to hire agency staff to cover the jobs of workers who go on strike. However the greatest outrage has arisen from proposals to change the way that union members pay their dues, which according to Labour, could lose the party up to £8 million a year. Joining Investment Perspectives host Juliette Foster for more analysis of that story is Matt Wrack, Head of the Fire Brigades Union, and Professor John Weeks, Share Radio's regular economics commentator.

Ahead of the Budget, the Momentum UK Household Financial Wellness Index highlights the areas of concern for the financial welfare of UK consumers. Financial journalist Harriet Meyer joins Georgie to talk this and all stories making the headlines today.

The presidential race is heating up, and now candidates are starting to trade blows over the US economy. Share Radio's Robert Van Egghen reports.

The Bank of Japan left its monetary policy unchanged Tuesday but downgraded its view of the economy. Sarah Lowther discusses the decision and outlook with Seijiro Takeshita, Professor of Management and Information at University of Shizuoka, Japan

Gadgets and Gizmos with Share Radio's technology editor Steve Caplin.

What about investment in the Fairtrade industry? Are there special funds and how are they structured? Dana Roelofs is the Business Development Manager at 'Incofin Investment Management', a Belgian based Impact Investor that advises the Fairtrade Access Fund, which operates in Latin America and Africa. She described how the fund works to our reporter Patrick Jones.

On Wednesday, the Chancellor George Osborne will present his latest Budget. Aside from a sighting of the fashionable red box, what can we all expect? Normally, a Budget four years out from a general election is when a government takes some risks. So what will happen to pay, pensions and petrol prices - all on the agenda. Ed Bowsher joins Georgie Frost to discuss this and all stories making the news today.

Share Radio's Patrick Jones speaks with Chris Bishop, Managing Editor of Forbes Africa Magazine. This week topics include: Jacob Zumas recent state-visit to Nigeria and the reasons for this, Aliko Dangote (Africas richest man) says Nigerias economic crisis is exaggerated, the Zimbabwean Government is weighing up whether to give compensation to white farmers & a huge court case for mining in South Africa this week.

Rita Lobo discovers how church groups are working together to tackle the lack of shortage of homes in London. Reverend Graham Hunter of the Citizens UK charity, explains how they have written a housing manifesto ahead of the Mayoral elections, and Michael Robson, chief executive of Andrews Estate Agents, are supporting a social impact project, Project 70, to solve this growing issue.