Japan’s Government Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery Despite Sluggish Consumption, Flat Real Wage Growth Amid Food-Led Inflation
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue despite sluggish consumer spending and flat real wage growth amid high costs for food and other necessities. In its monthly report for December released Friday by the Cabinet Office, the government said the economy is […]
BOJ Governor Ueda: Japan Economy on Track Toward Higher Interest Rates but Central Bank Needs More Confidence in Sustained Wage Hikes
–Ueda: Bank May Get Enough Data in March or April to Decide on Next Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said Friday that the bank’s policymakers may receive clearer data and information in March or April that would allow them to decide confidently whether to go ahead with […]
Japan Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery but Warns It Now Needs to Watch Future US Policy amid Headwinds of Inflation, Middle East Tensions, Weak Yen
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue thanks to wage hikes amid widespread labor shortages, but urged a close watch on the future U.S. government policy as well as lingering high costs for necessities, geopolitical risks and the weak yen. In its […]
Japan Q3 GDP Slows on Capex, Public Works Pullbacks as Expected, Propped Up by Downward Revision to Q2 Growth
–Q3 GDP +0.2% Q/Q, +0.9% Annualized Vs. Median Forecasts of +0.2%, +0.6%–External Demand’s Unexpected Dive Buoyed by Surprisingly Firmer Consumption Despite High Costs, Earthquake, Typhoons–Domestic Demand Pushes Up GDP by 0.6 Point, Net Exports Slashes Growth by 0.4 Point By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s third quarter economic growth slowed to 0.2% on quarter, on […]
Preview: Japan Q3 GDP Growth to Show Sharp Slowdown as Consumers Remain Wary amid High Costs, Capex Seen Down
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s gross domestic product for the July-September quarter is forecast to post a sharp slowdown, up just 0.2% on quarter, or an annualized 0.6%, as consumers remained frugal amid high costs for necessities that were aggravated by a rare, acute rice supply shortage and business investment is believed to have […]
Japan July Overall Household Spending Up Just 0.1% Y/Y, Core Reading Dips 0.8%; Air Conditioner Demand Strong but Too Hot to Stay Outdoors
–High Wage Hikes amid Labor Shortages Lead to 3rd Straight Rise in Real Average Household Income–Real Wages Up 0.4% Y/Y in July After Marking 1st Rise in 27 Months in June By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted its first year-over-year rise in three months in July but with a sluggish undertone […]
Heat Wave Boosts Japanese Consumer Inflation in July, Hitting Many Households as Government Ends Utility Subsidies
–Retail Sales Up on Seasonal Demand but Somewhat Slower as It is Dangerous to Stay Outdoors for Long –Factory Output Rebounds, Government Upgrades View –Unemployment Rate Up on Surge in Quits for Better Positions Amid Widespread Labor Shortages By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The killer heat wave is wreaking havoc across Japan, claiming many lives […]
Japan Government Slightly Upgrades Its View on Economic Recovery after BOJ Conducts 2nd Rate Hike in July
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government upgraded its overall economic assessment for the first time in six months, noting consumer spending is supported by wage hikes and temporary income tax credits, but the change in wording is subtle and it continues to say the economy is recovering “moderately.” In its monthly report for August […]
Japan July Core CPI Annual Rate on Gradual Uptrend at 2.7% Vs. 2.6% in June as Government Ends 18-Month Utility Subsidies, Heat Wave Boosts Air Conditioner Price
–Total CPI Y/Y Rise Steady at 2.8%; Fresh Food Markups Ease After Recent Spike–Core-Core CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Up 1.9% Vs. 2.2% amid Easing Pressure from Processed Food Costs By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer inflation in Japan continued accelerating slightly in the core reading in July after the government ended 18-month long utility subsidies […]
Japan July Export Rise Led by Semiconductors, Autos from US, Asia, Offsetting Slow Shipments to Europe; Trade Deficit Wider Than Expected
–Imports Surge on Drugs, Computers, Crude Oil as Relatively Weak Yen Keeps Costs High–Exports to China Post 8th Straight Y/Y Rise Following Last Year’s Slump–Exports to US Remain Robust; Those to EU Mark 4th Straight Y/Y Decline By Max Sato (MaceNews) –Japanese export values rose 10.3% for the eighth straight year-over-year increase in July, led […]