Japan March Exports, Imports Slower; Trade Deficit Narrows Further from Record High in January
–Japan Posts 20th Straight Month of Trade Deficit on High Energy Import Costs–Exports to China Mark 4th Straight Y/Y Drop Amid Reopening Since Zero-Covid Policy Lifted in December –Fiscal 2022 Trade Deficit Record High Due to Spike in Energy Prices, Weak Yen By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese export values rose on the year at […]
Japan February Machine Orders Slip in Reaction to January Surge but Post 2nd Straight Y/Y Rise
–Cabinet Office Keeps View: Machine Orders Pausing By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese machinery orders, the key leading indicator of business investment in equipment, posted the first drop in three months in reaction to a surge in January as some firms have turned cautious amid slowing global demand, data released Wednesday by the Cabinet Office […]
BOJ’s New Governor Ueda Sees No Need to Change Yield Curve Control Policy Framework or Accord with Government
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said it is “appropriate” to continue seeking stable and sustainable 2% inflation under the bank’s yield curve control policy framework, indicating that there will be no major change to the current monetary easing stance at the April 27-28 meeting. He told an inaugural news […]
Japan February Household Spending Posts Modest Y/Y Rebound on Eating Out, Travel After Public Health Rules Eased
–Govt Official: Household Spending Recovering Despite M/M Drop; Still Below Pre-Pandemic Level –Spending on Hotels, Package Tours Continues Rising on Tourism Support Program –February’s Y/Y Rise Led Also by Higher Electric Heating Use during Freezing Weather in Late January–Real Household Income Posts 5th Straight Y/Y Drop on High Costs for Food and Despite Energy Subsidies […]
BOJ March Quarter Tankan: Manufacturers’ Sentiment Dips on Global Slowdown, Services Propped Up by Travel, Eating Out
–Carmakers, Paper/Pulp Makers See Rebound in June Sentiment; Steel Mills, Machine Makers Expect Decline –Wholesalers, Construction Firms See Lower June Sentiment; Hotels, Restaurants, Telecommunications Upbeat –Large Firms’ Capex Plans Show Solid Start to Fiscal 2023, Small Firms Unusually Bullish in Initial Plans By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Confidence among major manufacturers in Japan drifted lower […]
Preview: BOJ March Tankan Manufacturers Sentiment Down Further, Services Supported by Travel Discounts
–Manufacturers Seen Cautious Amid Global Slowdown, Elevated Costs –Govt Tourism Program, Eased Covid Rules Continue Propping Up Services –Business Confidence for June Seen Mixed with Slight Changes from March –Large Firms’ Capex Plans Expected to Show Solid Start to Fiscal 2023 –Small Firms Tend to Have Conservative Plans at Start of Fiscal Year By […]
Japan’s Economy Shows Resilience in February Data Amid Slowing Global Demand, Bank Failure Risks in US, Europe
–Industrial Output Rebounds Strongly on Eased Parts Supply Constraints –Retail Sales Up Sharply in Reaction to Slump a Year Ago, Waning Covid Drag –Unemployment Ticks Up as More People Quit for Better Spots, Begin Job Search By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Japanese economy is showing resilience amid easing supply bottlenecks and waning effects of […]
<strong>Japan February Core CPI Annual Rate Slows to 3.1% from January’s 41-Year High of 4.2% as Government Expands Subsidies for Utilities </strong>
–Total CPI Slows to +3.3% Y/Y from 41-Year High of +4.3% in January, Also as Expected –Core-Core CPI (Ex-Fresh Food, Energy) Hits 41-Year High of +3.5% Y/Y, Largest Gain Since +3.5% in January 1982 By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Consumer inflation in Japan slowed significantly to just above 3% in February in two key measures […]
Japan Government Keeps View on Gradual Economic Pickup Amid Brighter Consumer Sentiment, Sluggish Factory Output
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Wednesday maintained its economic assessment that the current gradual pickup remains intact on expectations that further reopening of the economy should support consumer spending while industrial production slowed on weaker global demand, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. In its March report, the government […]
BOJ March Meeting Summary: Continue Easing to Support Stable 2% inflation, Sustained Wage Growth
By Max Sato –Board Members Also Note Side-Effects of Easing on Market Functioning–Summary Shows No Specific Debate on How BOJ Should Prepare for Eventual Exit (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan board members agreed that large-scale monetary easing should continue to support structural reforms toward sustained wage growth as the bank inches closer to achieving its […]