Category: Economy

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 […]

Preview: Forecasters See Modest Rise for Japanese Retail Sales

Friday, Feb. 27, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Thursday, Feb. 26) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases January retail sales. Mace News median: +0.1% y/y (range: -1.2% to +2.5%) vs. Dec -0.9%; +2.1% m/m (range: +1.6% to+3.0%) vs. Dec -2.0% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) –Japan’s retail sales are projected to inch up […]

Preview: Forecasters See Sharp Rebound for Japanese Industrial Production

Friday, Feb. 27, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Thursday, Feb. 26) The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry releases January industrial production, outlook for February and March. Mace News median: +5.3% m/m (range: +4.0% to +7.0%) vs. Dec. -0.1%; +5.2% y/y (range: +4.2% to +7.2%) vs. Dec. +2.6% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s […]

Most Federal Reserve Officials Nowhere Near Ready to Cut Rates Again

By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – Few Federal Reserve officials have completely foreclosed the possibility of resuming interest rate reductions at some point, but for the foreseeable future, the U.S. central bank appears to be firmly on hold. The Federal Open Market Committee may well get around to cutting the federal funds rate at least […]

Preview: Forecasters See Tokyo Core CPI +1.7% in February on Year, Below BOJ 2% Target

for release: Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Feb. 26) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases February Tokyo CPI. Mace News survey median: total CPI +1.4% y/y (range: +1.2% to +1.5%) vs. Jan +1.5%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +1.7% (range: +1.6% to +1.8%) vs. Jan +2.0%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh […]

Japan’s December Core Machine Orders Soar Record 19.1% to 18-Year High, Driven by Large Industrial Orders, Persistent Computer Demand from Services Sector

–Cabinet Office Keeps View After October Upgrade: Orders Showing Signs of Pickup –Official: December Rise After November’s 11.0% Dip Indicates Trend Not Strong Enough to Revise Up View By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of business investment in equipment and software, surged a record 19.1% on the month […]

Preview: Forecasters See Slower CPI Inflation in January

Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 0830 JST (2330 GMT/1830 EST Thursday, Feb. 19) The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications releases January CPI.Mace News median: total CPI +1.6% y/y (range: +1.5% to +1.7%) vs. Dec+2.1%; core CPI (ex-fresh food) +2.1% y/y (range: +2.0% to +2.1%) vs. Dec +2.4%; core-core CPI (ex-fresh food, energy) +2.7% y/y (range […]

Preview: Forecasters See Machinery Orders Rebounding in December as Capex Seen Solid

Thursday, Feb. 19, 20260850 JST (2350 GMT/1850 EST Wednesday, Feb. 18) The Cabinet Office releases December machinery orders.Mace News median: core orders +3.2% m/m (range: +1.0% to +5.0%) vs. Nov -11.0%; +1.0% y/y (range: -0.5% to +4.4%) vs. Nov -6.4% By Chikafumi Hodo TOKYO (MaceNews) – Japan’s core machinery orders, a key leading indicator of […]