Japan Weekahead: Feeling Drag from Trump Tariffs, High Costs of Living in Key Economic Data
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic events later this week. There is optimism in financial markets that the global trade war may be resolved through negotiations, but protectionist U.S. trade policy remains unpredictable and geopolitical risks have been heightened. Japanese automakers have lowered prices for their U.S. customers to cover […]
Preview: Bank of Japan Q2 Tankan to Show Business Sentiment Slipped as Trump Tariffs Hit Auto, Metal Industries, High Costs Slow Consumers Spending
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey is forecast to show confidence was flat or deteriorated in most categories in the June quarter, hit by Trump tariffs on vehicles, metals and other goods, with automakers lowering export prices to pay for higher import costs for U.S. customers, according to […]
Japan Week Ahead: PM Ishiba in Rough Waters amid High Costs After Ruling LDP’s Tokyo Assembly Poll Setback Ahead of Upper House Election Next Month
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week following no change in the Bank of Japan’s policy interest rate and a slower tapering pace for the bank’s government bond purchases in fiscal 2026. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a setback in Sunday’s Tokyo assembly […]
Preview: Bank of Japan to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate for 3rd Straight Meeting in Gradual Tightening Process, Focus on Fiscal 2026 Pace of JGB Purchase Slowdown
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan is set to leave its policy interest rate for the third meeting in a row on Tuesday in a gradual tightening process amid the uncertainty sparked by the protectionist U.S. trade policy but the focus is on its mid-term review as to how drastically it should […]
Japan Weekahead: Bank of Japan Set to Keep 0.5% Policy Rate, Focus on Possible Moderation in FY26 Balance Sheet Trim; Exports Hit by Trump Tariffs, Underlying Inflation Still Below 2%
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week. – Monday, June 16 1400 JST (0500 GMT/0100 EDT) – The Bank of Japan’s nine-member board begins its two-day policy meeting. On day one, board members compare notes on the economic and financial conditions in Japan and […]
Japan Still Sees Gradual Economic Recovery Despite Trump Tariffs; Trade Conflicts Continue Clouding Outlook amid Front-Loading Purchases, Pullback in Demand
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government remains cautiously optimistic, sticking to its long-held conviction that the economy should be able to weather both external shocks on already sluggish growth and a cost-led surge in domestic inflation, repeating it is expected to stay on a “modest recovery” track. In its monthly report for June released […]
Japan Weekahead: Producer Inflation Seen Slowing Further on Falling Fuel Prices as PM Ishiba, Opposition Leaders Set to Debate High Costs, US Trade Talks amid Snap Election Chatter
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic and political events for the coming week. REVISED 1Q GDP REPORT –Monday, June 9, 2025 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Sunday, June 8) The Cabinet Office releases revised (second preliminary) GDP for January-March Mace News median: -0.2% q/q (range -0.5% to -0.1%) vs. prelim […]
Preview: Japan Q1 GDP’s 0.7% Annualized Drop Seen Unrevised, 1st Contraction in 4 Quarters Caused by High Costs of Living, Falling Real Wages
–Q1 Slump Led by Technical Pullback in Net Exports, Flat Consumption Despite Solid Capex Gain–Q2 GDP Likely to Post 2nd Straight Drop as High Costs for Food, Energy Linger, Exports Sluggish amid Trade Rows By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The second reading of Japan’s GDP data is expected to confirm that the wobbly domestic economy […]
Japan Keeps Gradual Economic Recovery Outlook Against Global Trade War, Domestic Inflation Headwinds
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continued to put on a brave face on the global trade war and politically explosive food price inflation, maintaining its cautiously optimistic domestic economic outlook for the ninth straight month, saying the economy is expected stay on a “modest recovery” track. In its monthly report for May released […]
Preview: Japan Q1 GDP to Post 1st Contraction in 4 Quarters as High Costs Keep Consumers Wary, Exports Remain Flat amid Uncertain Global Growth Prospects
–Global Trade War May Lead to 2nd Straight GDP Slump in Q2 By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s gross domestic product for the January-March quarter is forecast to post its first contraction in four quarters, down a slight 0.1% on quarter, or an annualized 0.4%, in payback for a technical jump in net exports in […]