Preview: Forecasters See Japan Unemployment Stable in April Data with Job Market Firm
Friday, May 29, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1930 EDT Thursday, May 28) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases April jobs. Mace News median: 2.7% (range: 2.6% to 2.7%)vs. 2.7% in March after posting 2.6% in February. By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is expected to be little changed […]
Japan Government Still Sees Gradual Economic Recovery but Also Warns that High Import Costs, Tight Materials Supply to Weigh on Growth
–Some Economists Project Q2 GDP Dip as Effects of Mideast Conflict on Consumption, Capex to Become More Pronounced By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government is sticking to its gradual economic recovery scenario after the January-March GDP data confirmed a steady recovery from a mild slump two quarters earlier but officials continued to warn about […]
Japan Week Ahead: Consumer Inflation in Capital, Jobless Rate Seen Tame, Iran War Squeezing Factory Output, Retail Sales Sluggish on Falling Real Wages
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The preliminary GDP data for the January-March quarter released last week showed the economy has overcome a temporary contraction recorded in July-September last year, thanks to rebounds in net exports and public works as well as sluggish but resilient private […]
Japan Week Ahead: Q1 GDP to Show Modest Growth, March Trade Balance Set to Slip Back into Deficit, Consumer Inflation Tame
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. The first quarter GDP data is expected to show the economy has overcome a temporary contraction in the July-September quarter last year, led by sluggish but resilient consumer spending and solid business investment in digitization. The weak yen and higher […]
Forecast: Japan Q1 GDP Seen Extending Growth Streak as Public Investment, Exports Support Economy
By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s real gross domestic product is projected to post a second consecutive quarter of growth in January-March, supported by firmer exports despite ongoing U.S. tariffs, while solid public investment, modest gains in private consumption and steady capital expenditure likely also contributed to growth. The economy is expected to expand […]
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 […]
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 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: BOJ Branch Managers Update on Regional Economies at Quarterly Meeting Ahead of April 27-28 Policy Decision
–February Household Spending Seen Sluggish amid Falling Real Wages; March Producer Inflation to Tick Up on Higher Energy Costs By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week in the new fiscal year that began on April 1. Bank of Japan branch managers will provide their latest assessments of […]