Japan September Jobless Rate Inches Up to 2.6% As More People Quit for Other Opportunities 
–Unemployment at 2.5% in August, 2.6% from May to July Vs. April’s 2-Year Low 2.5% –More People Quit to Seek Other Openings Vs. August, Last September –Employment Growth Up Sharply Y/Y After Posting 1st Drop in 4 months in July –Number of Unemployed Marks 15th Straight Y/Y Drop; Still Above January 2020 Level By Max […]
Japan Govt Sees Gradual Economic Pickup, Plans Package to Ease Pain of Rising Prices, Weak Yen
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Tuesday maintained its economic recovery scenario amid strong catchup demand for business investment and solid spending on dining out and traveling, but continued warning about downside risks posed by global slowdown amid tightening by many central banks and the weak yen that is boosting already high import costs, […]
Japan September Core CPI Hits 3% on Widespread Markups but BOJ Easing Seen in Place
–High Energy Costs Remain Largest Contributor, Processed Food Catching Up –Core CPI (Ex-Fresh Food) +3.0% Y/Y 31-Year High Excluding 2014, 1997 Sales Tax Hikes Impact–Narrow CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) +1.8% Y/Y, Close to BOJ’s 2% Inflation Target By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer inflation in Japan continued its relentless upward march in September, reflecting high […]
Japan September Export, Import Values Hit Record Highs Amid Slowing Global Growth, High Energy Bills
–Japan Posts 14th Straight Month of Trade Deficit on High Oil, Gas Import Costs–Exports to US Hit Record High on Autos, Auto Parts, Construction Machines–Imports from US, EU at Record Highs on Drugs, Energy–Imports from Asia, China Also Reach Highs on Smartphones, Clothing By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports values hit a record high […]
Japan September Producer Inflation Unexpectedly Moves Up as Utilities Surge
–Weak Yen Continues Boosting Import Costs for Producers By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Producer inflation in Japan unexpectedly accelerated in September to just shy of a 41-year high hit in April, led by double-digit percentage gains continuing in utilities, nonferrous metals, iron and steel, chemicals and fuels while there was an uptick in highly weighted […]
Japan August Machine Orders Slump Amid Slower Global Growth, Q3 Seen Flat So Far 
–Japan Govt Keeps View: Machine Orders Showing Signs of Pickup –BOJ September Quarter Tankan Survey Has Shown Solid FY22 Capex Demand By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese machinery orders, the key leading indicator of business investment in equipment, fell at a faster pace than expected in August amid slower global growth, giving up all of […]
Japan August Household Spending Up Y/Y But Slumps M/M on 7th Wave of Pandemic
–Spending on Traveling, Dining Remain Above 2021 When Covid State of Emergency Was in Place –Spending Down M/M Amid Record Covid Cases Hit Many Regions from Late July –Real Household Income Falls For 5th Straight Month on Rising Cost of Living By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted the third straight year-on-year […]
Japan September Tokyo Core CPI Rises Further on Food, Durable Goods Amid Elevated Producer Costs 
BOJ September Meeting Summary: Watch for Inflation, Pandemic, Global Recession
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan board members debated upside risks to inflation without substantial wage growth, which could be made worse by the lingering drag from the pandemic, according to the summary of opinions expressed at the bank’s Sept. 21-22 meeting released Monday. The summary, a preview of the minutes to be […]
BOJ Q3 Tankan Business Sentiment: Manufacturers Weaker, Services Up
–Manufacturers Cautious Amid Dimmer Global Growth Outlook –Services Upbeat as Govt Refrains from Imposing Strict Covid Rules –Business Confidence Seen Mostly Lower in December Amid Uncertainty –Firms, Large and Small, Further Revise Up Their Combined FY22 Capex Plans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Confidence among major manufacturers in Japan unexpectedly slipped for the third straight […]