Japan Week Ahead: PM Takaichi’s LDP Faces Tough Headwinds from New Opposition Force in Upcoming General Elections; Economic Data to Show Export Resilience, Easing Inflation
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to hold a news conference on Monday evening (in the early hours of Monday, Jan. 19 in the Eastern time zone) to officially announce that she will call a snap election at the start […]
Fed’s Bowman Reaffirms Support for Additional Cuts In Federal Funds Rate
– Warns Against Signaling ‘Pause’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – A number of Federal Reserve officials have expressed hesitancy, if not outright opposition, about cutting interest rates further in recent days, but Vice Chairman for Supervision Michelle Bowman emphatically renewed her support for additional rate cuts Friday. Bowman joined Governor Stephen Miran in supporting […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Core Machinery Orders Falling Back by 8.4% in November from October
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Sunday, Jan. 18) The Cabinet Office releases November machinery orders.Mace News median: core orders -8.4% m/m (range: -9.4% to -4.9%) vs. Oct +7.0%; +1.0% y/y (range: -0.5x.x% to +5.8%) vs. Oct +12.5% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of […]
Japan Week Ahead: Prime Minister Takaichi Appears Set to Call February General Elections amid Rising Tension in Middle East, Risking Delayed Budget Approval
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Market participants are getting ready for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to call a snap election at the start of the 150-day ordinary Diet session on Jan. 23 following weekend news reports that she is weighing the option of dissolving the […]
Japan November Household Spending Posts Unexpected Rebound on Autos in Routine Data Sample Shuffle, More Shopping Days, Winter Clothing Needs
–Many Remain Frugal Amid High Costs of Living, Trimming Gift Money and Switching to More Affordable Mobile Phone Plans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted an unexpected rebound in November, up a decent 2.9% on year (vs. consensus -1.4%), led mainly by a jump in automobile purchases due to a routine […]
US ISM Services Sector PMI Hits 14-Month High Mainly on Seasonal Effects but 12-Month Moving Average Still Low
US ISM’s Miller: Not Out of Tariffs Woods Yet but Sitting on Their Edge By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The U.S. services sector was in expansion territory for the third straight month in December as customers’ yearend budget spending lifted retailers and the flu vaccine season supported healthcare service providers but stiff Trump tariffs are […]
Preview: Forecasters See Household Spending Down 1.4% On Year in November
Friday, Jan. 9, 20260830 JST (2350 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Jan. 8) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases the November average household spending.Mace News median forecasts: -1.4% y/y (range: -2.5% to -0.6%) vs. Oct -3.0%; +1.4% m/m (range: +0.4% to +3.3%) vs. Oct -3.5% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending […]
Japan Week Ahead: Stocks Ending 2025 on High Note, Bond Yields Up on BOJ Rate Hike Outlook but Yen Remains Depressed
–PM Takaichi Keeps High Approval Ratings but Faces Challenges as Beijing Reacts to Her Taiwan Remarks By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic events for the coming two weeks. Japanese markets are closed for yearend and New Year’s holidays from Wednesday, Dec. 31 until Friday, Jan. 2. Trading will resume on […]
Japan Week Ahead: Inflation Easing Toward Bank of Japan’s 2% Target; Factory Output to Slip Back but Has Firm Undertone, Bucking US Tariff Damper
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese economic events for the coming week following the Bank of Japan board’s unanimous decision to raise the overnight interest rate target by 25 basis points to a 30-year high of 0.75% in light of easing uncertainties over global trade rows initiated by the Trump administration. […]
Japan Govt Sticks to Modest Recovery Outlook as Exports Weather Trump Tariff Storms; BOJ Hikes Rates on Easing Trade Uncertainties, Vows to Raise More
–BOJ Governor Ueda: Policy Rate at 0.75% After Latest 25-Bp Hike Still ‘Slightly Below’ Estimated Neutral Rate By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese government policymakers are holding on to their conviction that the economy will stay on a modest recovery track as the latest trade data showed a rebound in exports to the key U.S. […]