Japan Week Ahead: US Treasury Secretary Bessent Goes to Tokyo on Way to US-China Summit, Meeting PM Takaichi, Others, After Suspected Japan FX Intervention
–Household Spending Seen Sluggish amid Rising Costs, Producer Inflation Accelerating on Mideast Conflict By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Trading returns to normal after the Golden Week holidays that ended on Wednesday, May 6. Government policymakers have also returned from international meetings and diplomatic visits. The […]
Japan Week Ahead: BOJ Seen Standing Pat amid Uncertainty Over U.S.-Iran Standoff in Mideast Peace Talks
–Factory Output, Retail Sales Seen Posting Modest Rebound, Unemployment Stable, Inflation in Tokyo Tame By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Risk-on and risk-off trading is likely to continue in the financial markets as investors watch for news from U.S.-Iran talks aimed at breaking the impasse in […]
Preview: Japan’s Retail Sales Expected Up in March As Store Sales Improve
Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, April 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March retail sales. Mace News median: +1.0% y/y (range: -0.4% to +1.8%) vs. Feb revised to -0.1% from -0.2%; +0.4% m/m (range: -0.8% to +1.4%) vs. Feb -2.0% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japanese Industrial Output Bouncing Back in March with Rising Exports
Thursday, April 30, 2026 0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Wednesday, Apr 29) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases March and January-March industrial production, outlook for April and May. Mace News median: +0.7% m/m (range: -1.0% to +2.5%) vs. Feb. revised to -2.0% from -2.1%; +3.0% y/y (range: +0.0% to +5.3%) vs. Feb. revised […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Tokyo Core CPI +1.8% in April vs. 1.7% in March
Friday, May 1, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, April 30) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases April Tokyo CPI.Mace News median: total CPI +1.6% y/y (range: +1.4% to +1.9%) vs. Mar +1.4%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.8% (range: +1.6% to +2.0%) vs. Mar +1.7%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.3% (range: […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Jobless Rate Flat Again at 2.6% with Uptick in Employment
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Monday, April 27) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases March jobs. Mace News median: 2.6% (range: 2.6% to 2.7%)vs. 2.6% in Feb after posting 2.7% in Jan and 2.6% in the previous five months from August to December By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – […]
Japan Keeps Cautiously Optimistic Economic Outlook as Bulls Drive Tokyo Stocks Higher on Hopes of End to Mideast Conflict, Resumed Gulf Shipping
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to expect a gradual economic recovery, backed by strong demand for investment in artificial intelligence, while Tokyo stock markets keep flirting with record highs on hopes of an end to the Iran war that would allow reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for oil and gas […]
Japan Week Ahead: Countdown to BOJ’s Tough Decision on Whether Now Is Right Time to Lift Policy Interest Rate Closer to Neutral Level
–Exports Likely Remain Resilient in March Trade Data, Inflation Seen Tame Below BOJ’s 2% Target but High Price Levels Still Hurt By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The Bank of Japan’s media communications blackout period starts on Wednesday, three business days before the next policy meeting […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan Exports Up Again in March on Chip, Electronics Sales
0850 JST (2350 GMT/1950 EDT Tuesday, April 21) The Ministry of Finance releases March trade.Mace News median: exports +11.2% y/y (range: +8.9% to +14.2%) vs. a revised +4.0% February from +4.2; imports +5.7% y/y (range: +3.0% to +10.1%) vs. a revised +10.3% in February from +10.2%; trade surplus ¥1,114.20 billion (range: a surplus of ¥530.60 […]
Preview: Forecasters See Japan CPI Inflation Steady in March Report from February
0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, April 23) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases March CPI. Mace News median: total CPI +1.4% y/y (range: +1.2% to +1.6%) vs. Feb +1.3%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.6% y/y (range: +1.5% to +1.9%) vs. Feb +1.6%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.4% y/y (range +2.3% to […]