Japan Sept Factory Output Slumps; Autos, Others Hit by Supply Delays
–Output Posts Larger-than-Expected M/M Drop, 1st Y/Y Fall in 7 Months–METI Keeps View After Downgrade Last Month: Factory Output Pausing–METI Repeats: Watch Effects of Rising COVID Cases, Global Chip Shortages By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production posted the third straight monthly decline in September, coming in weaker than expected, as protracted global semiconductor […]
BOJ Kuroda: Current ‘Slight’ Yen Fall Beneficial for Japan’s Economy
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said Thursday that the recent depreciation of the yen has been limited in scope, and thus it is still good for Japan’s gradual economic recovery as its benefit of supporting exporter profits outweighs the cost of surging import prices. He also downplayed the risk […]
BOJ Keeps Easing Stance; Covid Risk Remains, Public Inflation Views Picking Up
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan said Thursday it is maintaining its stimulative policy, as expected, to support economic recovery from the pandemic-caused 2020 slump and continue guiding near-zero inflation toward its elusive 2% target. The central bank remains optimistic about the medium-term outlook for steady recovery following short-term weakness, but also […]
Japan Sept Retail Sales Dip on Pandemic Restrictions, Slashed Car Output
(MaceNews) – Japanese retail sales came in firmer than expected in September but they still posted the second straight year-on-year drop as Covid-19 restrictions remained in place until the end of the month and supply chain disruptions choked new car deliveries, data released Thursday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed. The ministry […]
Japan Sept Core CPI Marks 1st Y/Y Rise in 18 Months on Utilities
— Overall Energy Costs Up; Pace of Gasoline Markup Eases Slightly— Total CPI Posts 1st Y/Y Gain in 13 Months on Rebound in Fresh Food— Downward Pressure From Low Cost Mobile Phone Plans Lingers By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Global supply chain disruptions and reopening demand led energy and processed food costs to rise further, […]
ANALYSIS: Japan Faces Cost Inflation Amid Weak Yen, Slow Wage Growth
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Rising energy and commodities prices may help lift Japan’s near-zero inflation rate but a further rise in the costs for daily necessities would dampen already wobbly consumer spending and surging producer prices would hurt small businesses that cannot pass higher input costs on to customers amid uncertain growth prospects. Japan […]
Japan Sept Exports Slower as Global Supply Chain Snag Cuts Auto Shipments
— Imports Surge on Energy, Vaccines, Leading to 2nd Straight Trade Deficit By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports stayed above the level seen a year earlier in September but the pace of increase continued decelerating as carmakers and electronics firms cannot meet reopening demand amid worsening global supply chain disruptions, data released Wednesday by […]
Japan Govt Keeps Cautious View on Economy, Noting Slower Export Growth
–Japan Sees Global Economic Pickup But Downgrades China Growth Pace By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Friday maintained its cautious view on the pace of domestic economic recovery as global supply chain disruptions linger and export growth slows, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. The government said the economy […]
Japan Aug Machine Orders Expectedly Dip After Recent Computer Demand
–Japan Govt Downgrades View: Pickup in Machine Orders Pausing–Cabinet Office Official: Demand for Computers Seen on Firm Trend–Q3 Core Orders Seen Unlikely to Grow 11% Q/Q, As Projected Earlier By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese machinery orders, the key leading indicator of business investment in equipment, unexpectedly slumped in August as demand for computers took […]
<strong>Japan Sentiment Picks Up on Vaccine Rollout But Q3 GDP Seen Slower</strong>
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s sentiment surveys painted a rosier picture as the government has lifted its Covid-19 state of emergency on heavily hit regions, setting the stage for gradually reopening the economy, but global supply chain disruptions remain a major hindrance to recovery. The monthly Economy Watchers Survey, which was conducted by the […]