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: 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 […]
Japan Week Ahead: Markets Jittery After Suspected MOF Intervention to Stop Yen Fall Beyond Y160 as Mideast Conflict Slows Factory Output
–BOJ Board Decides to Stand Pat in 6-to-3 Vote, Mulling Better Timing for Follow-Up Rate Hike By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week and a review of the holiday-shortened past week. The local markets will be closed from Monday, May 4 until Wednesday, May 6 in the […]
Japan Week Ahead: BOJ Seen Standing Pat amid Uncertainty Over U.S.-Iran Standoff in Mideast Peace Talks
–Factory Output, Retail Sales Seen Posting Modest Rebound, Unemployment Stable, Inflation in Tokyo Tame By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Risk-on and risk-off trading is likely to continue in the financial markets as investors watch for news from U.S.-Iran talks aimed at breaking the impasse in […]
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: PM Takaichi Back to Inflation Fighting after Performing in Trump Diplomatic Theater; February Core CPI Seen Drifting Below BOJ’s 2%, Calm Before Iran War Storm
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Here are the key Japanese events for the coming week. Following last week’s majority decision by the Bank of Japan’s board to pause in its gradual rate hike process, CPI data for February is forecast to show core inflation moderated to an annual rate below the bank’s 2% target as […]
Japan’s Government Sticks to Modest Economic Recovery Outlook as Firms Tiding Over Trump Tariff Storms, Inflation Drifting Lower on Easing Food, Energy Costs
–PM Takaichi Quiet on BOJ’s Unwinding of Stimulus; Mainichi Says She Showed Reluctance to Further Rate Hikes in Recent Meeting with Governor Ueda –Government Nominates Academic Types with Possible Reflationary Bias to Replace Two Outgoing BOJ Board Members By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government continues to predict a modest economic recovery, noting that corporate […]
Update: IMF Official: BOJ Expected to Raise Policy Rate to 1.5% by Two 25-Basis Point Hikes This Year, One Next Year
–Updates with Official Remarks at Briefing, Background –IMF: BOJ Policy Interest Rate Below Estimated Neutral Rate, Echoing Recent Comments of BOJ Governor Ueda –IMF: Continued Unwinding of Monetary Stimulus to Lift BOJ’s Overnight Rate to Neutral In 2027 –IMF Advises Against Lowering 10% Sales Tax, Hails PM Takaichi Plan to Suspend it for 2 Years […]