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 […]
Japan’s Government Still Sees Gradual Economic Pickup Amid Global Tightening, High Costs, Weak Yen 
Japan August Retail Sales Post 6th Straight Y/Y Gain as Economy Reopens Despite Covid Spike
–METI Repeats Retail Sales Picking Up Gradually –Department Store Sales Continue Recovering on Eased Covid Rules –Sales of Cars, Appliances Remain Weak; Demand for Cosmetics, Drugs Strong By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales posted their sixth year-on-year rise in August, led by high fuel prices and solid demand for summer clothing, cosmetics and […]
Japan August Jobless Rate Eases Slightly to 2.5% as Government Reopens Economy Amid Covid Spike
–Unemployment at 2.6% from May to July Vs. April’s 2-Year Low 2.5% –Job Losses Flat M/M in August While Fewer People Seek Other Openings –Employment Picks Up After Posting 1st Y/Y Drop in 4 months in July –Number of Unemployed Marks 14th Straight Y/Y Drop; Still Above January 2020 Level By Max Sato (MaceNews) – […]
Japan August Industrial Output Rises in Many Sectors on Easing Supply Constraints
–METI Survey Points to Possible Output Dip in September, Solid Gain in October –METI Upgrades View: Output Showing Signs of Moderate Rise Vs. Marking Time –METI Repeats: To Watch Effects of a Rise in Covid Cases, Parts Shortages, Inflation By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production surged in August, well above forecasts, as easing […]
Preview: BOJ Tankan Manufacturers’ Sentiment Seen Up in September, Services Down
–End to Covid Lockdown in Shanghai Supports Factory Operations –Downside Risks Arise from Global Slowdown amid Tightening by US, Others –Spike in Japan Covid Cases, High Import Costs Hit Services Sector –Business Confidence in December Projected to Be Mixed –Smaller Firms Expected to Revise Up Their Combined FY22 Capex Plans Further By Max […]