US ISM Manufacturing PMI Expands for 7th Straight Month in July but Lingering Iran War, Global AI Boom Causing Longer Supply Delivery Lead Times, Memory Chip Shortages
–ISM’s Spence: Sentiment Trending Up in Right Direction; Slower Deliveries Could Get Worse but Orders Still Flowing By Max Sato (MaceNews) – U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the seventh straight month in July to the highest level in more than four years but the Mideast conflict and the global AI boom have made delivery times […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Exports, Imports Up Again on Year in June Data
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japanese exports are expected to rise for a 10th straight month from a year earlier in June, while imports are seen rising for a fifth consecutive month as the resource-poor country continues to diversify its crude oil purchases away from the Middle East. Robust imports, coupled with a weaker […]
Update: Japan Week Ahead: Markets Look for Signs of Follow-Up BOJ Move in A Few Months After Milestone Rate Hike in June, Warning about Inflation
–Updates to Show New Date for Monthly Economic Report –June Tokyo CPI Inflation Seen Accelerating on Rising Costs for Plastics, Other Goods amid Mideast Materials Supply Squeeze but Still Below 2% BOJ Target By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Financial markets are expected to be volatile in the coming week after Iran announced on the weekend […]
Preview: Forecasters See Strong Japanese Exports, Imports, Return to Trade Deficit in May
0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, June 16) The Ministry of Finance releases May trade.Mace News median: exports +14.8% y/y (range: +10.7% to +19.0%) vs. +14.8% in April; imports +12.5% y/y (range: +9.9% to +16.6%) vs. revised +9.8% in April from 9.7%; trade deficit ¥559.60 billion (range: a deficit of ¥660.00 billion to a deficit […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Industrial Production Hit by Input Disruption from Mideast War
Friday, May 29, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, May 28) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases April, and the outlook for May and June. Mace News median: -1.0% m/m (range: -2.2% to -0.4%) vs. Mar. revised to -0.4% from -0.5%; +0.6% y/y (range: -0.5% to +2.3%) vs. Mar. revised to +2.4% […]
Preview: Japan Exports Expected Up Sharply Again on Year in April Report but Return to Deficit Seen
0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, May 21) The Ministry of Finance releases April trade.Mace News median: exports +9.4% y/y (range: +8.5% to +10.0%) vs. a revised +11.5% March from +11.7%; imports +8.8% y/y (range: +7.1% to +9.4%) vs. 10.9% in March; trade deficit ¥96.25 billion (range: a deficit of ¥200.70 billion to a surplus […]
Forecast: Japan Q1 GDP Seen Extending Growth Streak as Public Investment, Exports Support Economy
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real gross domestic product is projected to post a second consecutive quarter of growth in January-March, supported by firmer exports despite ongoing U.S. tariffs, while solid public investment, modest gains in private consumption and steady capital expenditure likely also contributed to growth. The economy is expected to expand […]
Japan Keeps Cautiously Optimistic Economic Outlook as Bulls Drive Tokyo Stocks Higher on Hopes of End to Mideast Conflict, Resumed Gulf Shipping
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to expect a gradual economic recovery, backed by strong demand for investment in artificial intelligence, while Tokyo stock markets keep flirting with record highs on hopes of an end to the Iran war that would allow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil and gas […]
Japan Week Ahead: Countdown to BOJ’s Tough Decision on Whether Now Is Right Time to Lift Policy Interest Rate Closer to Neutral Level
–Exports Likely Remain Resilient in March Trade Data, Inflation Seen Tame Below BOJ’s 2% Target but High Price Levels Still Hurt By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The Bank of Japan’s media communications blackout period starts on Wednesday, three business days before the next policy meeting […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Exports Up Again in March on Chip, Electronics Sales
0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, April 21) The Ministry of Finance releases March trade.Mace News median: exports +11.2% y/y (range: +8.9% to +14.2%) vs. a revised +4.0% February from +4.2; imports +5.7% y/y (range: +3.0% to +10.1%) vs. a revised +10.3% in February from +10.2%; trade surplus ¥1,114.20 billion (range: a surplus of ¥530.60 […]