Japan’s Consumer Sentiment Picks Up Amid Pandemic Uncertainty
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The latest surveys by the government and the Bank of Japan point to some optimism about a recovery from the pandemic that has choked global growth for about a year, but the spread of coronavirus variants amid the slow rollout of vaccinations is clouding the outlook. The monthly Economy Watchers […]
Japan Feb Household Spending Slumps Y/Y As Govt Extends COVID Restrictions
By Max Sato — Feb’s Sharp Drop Also In Reaction To Leap-Year Booster Effect on Feb 2020 (MaceNews) – Japan’s household spending remained below year-earlier levels for the third straight month in February as the government maintained restrictions on economic activity in major cities to fight the pandemic, data released Tuesday by the Ministry of […]
BOJ Mar Tankan Business Sentiment Up But Many Cautious Ahead – Corrected
By Max Sato — Companies Plan More Active Capex in FY’21 Vs FY’20— Firms Assume Dollar/Yen To Fall Slightly in FY21, Euro/Yen To Rise (MaceNews) – Japanese firms in many industries reported their sentiment improved in March from three months earlier, thanks to a pickup in global and domestic demand on hopes that vaccines will […]
Japan Feb Factory Output Slips; Carmakers Hit by Global Chip Shortage
By Max Sato — Japan’s METI Says Feb. 13 Quake Also Delayed Auto Parts Supply (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production posted the first drop in two months after a sharp rebound in January, as global semiconductor shortages had prompted carmakers to trim output, preliminary data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry […]
Japan Mar Tokyo CPI Firmer Amid Energy Market Pickup; Outlook Uncertain
By Max Sato –Gasoline Prices Now Up, But Utilities Still Push Down Overall Energy Costs–Hotel Fees Stop Falling; Appliances Prices On Uptrend In Stay-Home Lifestyles (MaceNews) – Consumer prices in Tokyo, a leading indicator of the national average, gained slightly in March from February, leading to a smaller year-on-year drop in the core reading, amid […]
Japan Govt Keeps View on Gradual Economic Pickup; Exports Slower
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Tuesday maintained its overview on the domestic economy, which has been gradually moving out of the pandemic-caused slump, while noting exports were losing some steam, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. The government said “signs of a pickup remain in place, although there is […]
ANALYSIS: Japan Eases Pandemic Rules, Risking Resurgence Amid Flat Approval Ratings
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government has eased some restrictions on economic activity, risking a renewed upswing in coronavirus cases, as it seeks to fight the pandemic and support a recovery from last year’s slump at the same time. Ahead of general elections sometime this year, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga faces sluggish approval ratings […]
BOJ Adopts More Flexible Easing Stance In Long Battle For 2% Inflation Target
–Central Bank Adds New Schemes For “Flexible, Nimble” Policy Response –BOJ To Maintain Basic Yield Curve Control Framework By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan on Friday decided to add new tools and tweaked existing schemes to make its monetary easing response “more flexible and nimble” in its prolonged battle to guide inflation […]
Japan Feb. Exports Dip After January’s Pre-Lunar New Year Rush; Pickup Seen Intact
– Exports to China Continue Rising; Shipments to Asia Post Slight Drop – Demand for Chip-Making Machines Strong; Auto Exports Slowing By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports posted the first year-on-year drop in three months in February partly in reaction to rush shipments to Asia in January before the Lunar New Year holidays last […]
BofA Global Fund Manager Survey: Inflation Jitters Knock COVID-19 Off Perch As Top ‘Tail Risk’
By Vicki Schmelzer NEW YORK (MaceNews) – Inflation jitters knocked COVID-19 off its long-held perch as the top “tail risk” feared by global investors, according to the findings of BofA Global Research’s monthly fund manager survey, released Tuesday. Up until this month, COVID-19 has been the primary concern of fund managers since February 2020, the […]