Japan February Tokyo Core CPI Rise Picks Up From January on Utilities, Processed Food

–Hotel Fees Slower After 2021 Double-Digit Gains Over 2020 Subsidized Discounts–Utilities Leading Energy Higher; Durable Goods Down As Stay-at-Home Demand Wanes–Most of Base Effect in Mobile Phone User Fee Cuts To Last Through March By Mas Sato (MaceNews) – The year-on-year rise in consumer prices in Tokyo, the leading indicator of the national average, picked […]

Analysis: Japan Economy Faces Headwind in Light of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s wobbly economic recovery faces downside risks from high energy and commodities prices, which have surged on tensions over Ukraine between Russia and the West and could rise further on supply concerns now that Russia has invaded its neighbour. The direct impact of economic sanctions against Moscow on Japan’s trade […]

BOJ Dec Minutes: Still Need Easy Money After Shrinking Covid Funding Program

— BOJ Members Also Debate Upside, Downside Risks Amid Uncertain Outlook By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan board members called for a continued accommodative monetary policy stance, saying the situation in Japan is different from other major economies where central banks are trying to control high inflation, the minutes of the bank’s Dec. […]

BOJ Keeps Easing Stance, Sees Clearer Economic Pickup, Slight CPI Uptick

— BOJ Revises Down FY21 GDP Forecast, Upgrades FY22 Growth View — BOJ Board’s CPI Outlook for FY22, FY23 Revised Up Slightly to Just Above 1% — BOJ Vows to Continue Monetary Support Until 2% Inflation Target Achieved By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Tuesday it is maintaining its interest rate […]

BOJ Keeps Easing Stance, Tweaks Covid Funding Scheme Toward Small Firms

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Friday it is ending parts of its anti-Covid special financing program aimed at supporting large firms, whose financial conditions have improved, while extending its feature of helping hard-hit small businesses, particularly those in the service sector. As expected, the BOJ decided to maintain its interest […]

PREVIEW: BOJ Dec Tankan To Show Mixed Sentiment, FY21 Capex Plans

–Sentiment Among Manufacturers Seen Flat After Recent Gains–Non-Manufacturers Likely Report Better Sentiment on Eased Covid Rules–Major Firms Expected To Revise Down Their Capex Plans–Smaller Firms Tend To Revise Up their Capex Plans Later in Fiscal Year By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey is expected to show confidence among […]

Japan Nov Producer Price Rise Remains 4-Decade High on Energy, Commodities

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Producer prices in Japan continued rising from year-earlier levels, staying at a four-decade high, as global supply chain disruptions, albeit easing slightly, as well as labor shortages are pushing up energy and commodities markets, data released Friday by the Bank of Japan showed. By contrast, consumer inflation in Japan remains […]

Japan Nov Tokyo CPI Y/Y Rise Hits 16-Month High on Surging Energy, Food

— Utility Charges Following Lead of Soaring Gasoline, Heating Oil Costs— CPI Remains Under Pressure From Mobile Communication Fee Discounts By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The year-on-year rise in the core reading of consumer prices in Tokyo, the leading indicator of the national average, accelerated in November amid double-digit percentage gains in utility and fuel […]

Japan Govt Still Sees Economic Pickup But Notes Slower Exports, Output

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Thursday maintained its economic overview but pointed to a mixed bag of data showing a pickup in consumption on eased Covid restrictions against flat exports and stalling recovery in factory output amid protracted supply bottlenecks, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. The government said […]