Japan’s Government Keeps Economic Recovery Scenario Despite Headwinds of High Costs of Living, Trump Tariffs, Sluggish China Pickup

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its cautiously optimistic assessment for the sixth straight month, saying the economy is expected to stay on a “modest recovery” track, overcoming the lingering headwinds of high domestic costs of living, the risk of a global trade war initiated by the Trump administration and wobbly Chinese growth. […]

Japan’s Government Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery Despite Sluggish Consumption, Flat Real Wage Growth Amid Food-Led Inflation

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue despite sluggish consumer spending and flat real wage growth amid high costs for food and other necessities. In its monthly report for December released Friday by the Cabinet Office, the government said the economy is […]

Japan Still Sees Modest Economic Recovery but Warns It Now Needs to Watch Future US Policy amid Headwinds of Inflation, Middle East Tensions, Weak Yen

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy’s “modest recovery” is set to continue thanks to wage hikes amid widespread labor shortages, but urged a close watch on the future U.S. government policy as well as lingering high costs for necessities, geopolitical risks and the weak yen. In its […]

Japan PM Kishida Says He Will Not Seek Re-Election at LDP Leadership Convention Next Month, Hoping to Calm Voter Rage Over Political Funding Scandal

By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced that he will not seek re-election at the Liberal Democratic Party leadership convention in late September, taking the blame for widespread political funding scandals at the ruling party, a key factor behind sluggish voter support for the administration. Kishida, 67, will step […]

Japan Govt Downgrades Its View on Economic Recovery as Consumption, Production Turn Weaker

–Japan’s Economy still Faces Downside Risks from Chinese Slowdown, High Prices, January’s Earthquake By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government on Wednesday downgraded its overall assessment for the first time in three months, saying while the economy is recovering moderately, consumption has turned weaker amid elevated costs and production has been hit by suspended vehicle […]