Japan July Tokyo Core CPI Annual Rate Eases to +3.0% from June’s +3.2% as Utility Costs Fall at Faster Pace, Mobile Phone Price Gains Shrink in Base-Year Effect
–Processed Food Markups Continue to Lead Consumer Inflation, Pushing Up CPI Annual Rate by Close to 2 Percentage Points –Total CPI Annual Rate Steady at 3.2% after Hitting 41-Year High of 4.4% in January –Narrow CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Annual Rate Rises to Fresh 41-Year High of 4.0% from 3.8% By Max Sato (MaceNews) – […]
Japan Govt Keeps View on Moderate Economic Recovery Backed by Consumer Spending, Business Investment Amid Higher Wage Growth
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Wednesday maintained its overall assessment, saying the economy is recovering moderately as substantial wage hikes and Covid-era excess savings are supporting consumer spending while improving supply chains are shoring up business confidence and investment, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. Japanese policymakers expect robust […]
Japan June Exports Post Modest Gain on Autos, Construction Machines but Volumes Continue to Drop on Slow Global Demand for Chips, Steel
–Imports Mark 3rd Straight Y/Y Fall on Easing Energy Prices –Japan Posts 1st Trade Surplus in 23 Months on Sharp Import Drop–Exports to China Record 7th Straight Y/Y Drop on Iron and Steel, Semiconductors By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese export values posted a modest rise on the year in June as recovering supply chains […]
Japan June Producer Inflation Eases Further to Fresh 2-Year Low of 4.1% from May’s 5.2% on Energy Subsidies, Falling Lumber Prices, Generally Easing Commodities
–June’s 4.1% Y/Y Rise Lowest Since 3.8% in April 2021 –December’s 10.6% Surge Remains Highest in 42 Years By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Producer inflation in Japan eased for the sixth straight month in June, hitting a fresh two-year low, as the government’s expanded utilities subsidies continued to cap energy costs and many commodities markets […]
Japan May Machine Orders Slump After April Rebound, Led by Pullback in Computer Demand from Financial, Transport Sectors
–Cabinet Office Keeps View: Machine Orders Pausing –Core Machinery Orders Unlikely to Achieve Official Forecast of 4.6% Q/Q Rise in April-June –BOJ’s June Quarter Tankan Survey Has Shown Firms Revise Up FY23 Capex Pans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese machinery orders, the key leading indicator of business investment in equipment, came in much weaker […]
Preview: BOJ June Tankan to Show 1st Rise in Major Manufacturers’ Sentiment in 7 Quarters on Improved Supply Chains
–Tourism Discount Subsidies, Eased Covid Rules Support Services –September Business Confidence Seen Mixed; Non-Manufacturers Cautious –FY23 Capex Plans Among Large, Small Firms Expected to Be Revised Up By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan’s quarterly Tankan business survey is expected to show confidence among major manufacturers in Japan picked up slightly in June […]
Japan May Industrial Production Slips as Parts Shortages Hit Auto Industry Again After Recent Pickup; Output Rebounds on Year
–METI Survey: Output Likely to Post Solid Gain in June, Slight Dip in July –METI Keeps View After Upgrade for March Data: Output Showing Gradual Pickup –METI Repeats: To Watch Effects of Parts Shortages, Inflation By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production posted its first drop in four months in May as automobile output […]
Japan May Jobless Rate Unchanged at 2.6% on Flat Job Cuts, Fewer People Looking for Work; Solid Job Creation on Year Continues
–Fewer People Quit for Other Openings or Start Looking for Work on Month; No Change in Job Losses, Retirements –Jobs Up Y/Y for 10th Straight Month, Led by Manufacturing, Hotels, Restaurants, Rebound in Construction –Number of Unemployed Marks 1st Drop in 3 Months By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese payrolls posted their 10th straight year-over-year […]
Japan May Retail Sales Y/Y Rise Led by Autos amid Improved Supply Chains, Recovering Department Stores
–METI Keeps View: Retail Sales on Gradual Uptrend –Demand for Cosmetics, Drugs Remains Solid; Sales of Appliances Stay Sluggish By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales posted their 15th straight year-over-year increase in May, thanks to faster deliveries of automobiles, gradually recovering department store sales and higher prices for food and beverages, mitigating the […]
BOJ June Meeting Summary: Board Warns Against Premature End to Monetary Easing as Inflation Outlook Has Both Upside, Downside Risks
–But Board Also Sees Need to Review Yield Curve Control Policy Framework Due to Its ‘High Cost’ By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan board members warned that a premature end to the bank’s decade-old large-scale monetary easing would undermine an emerging path toward stable 2% inflation with sustainable wage growth, according the summary […]