Japan July Tokyo Core CPI Annual Rate Rises Slightly to 2.2% from 2.1% in June as Govt Ends Utility Subsidies; Energy Effect Partly Offset by Easing Processed Food Markups

–Total CPI Annual Rate Slows to 2.2% from 2.3% in Light of Smaller Fresh Food Price Rise–Core-Core CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Decelerates to +1.5% from 1.8% By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer inflation in Tokyo, the leading indicator of the national average, picked up only slightly in July in the core reading after the government […]

Ex-BOJ’s Momma Sees BOJ Cautious About Rate Hike Timing amid Slow Services Price Rise; Not in Position to Act on Weak Yen  

–Momma Expects BOJ Rate Hikes in September, January but Warns of Economic Uncertainty–Momma Estimates BOJ’s Own Measure of Underlying Inflation at 1.5%, Still Below 2% Target–Momma: Central Banks Alone Cannot Anchor Inflation; Need Fiscal, Tax Policy Backup for Wealth Redistribution By Max Sato TOKYO (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan will remain cautious about following […]

Japan June Export Rise Led by Chip-Making Equipment, Non-Ferrous Metals on Recovering Chinese Demand; Trade Balance Posts 1st Surplus in 3 Months

–Imports Up on Strong Demand for Computers, Engines, Smartphones–Exports to China Post 7th Straight Y/Y Rise Following Last Year’s Slump–Exports to US Remain Robust; Those to EU Mark 3rd Straight Y/Y Slip By Max Sato (MaceNews) –Japanese export values rose 5.4% for the seventh straight year-over-year increase in June, led by solid demand for semiconductor-making […]