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 Government Keeps Its View on Economic Recovery amid Wage Hikes, Warns of Drag from High US, European Rates, China’s Real-Estate Woes
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government maintained its overall assessment that the economy is recovering “moderately” and is likely to stay on course as many firms are raising wages at a higher pace to secure workers and although exports are now largely flat. In its monthly report released Thursday by the Cabinet Office, the […]
Bank of Canada Q2 Survey: Business Outlook Remains Pessimistic amid Weak Demand, High Interest Rates, Leading to Slower Capex
Bank of Canada survey shows inflation expectations down
Preview: BOJ March Quarter Tankan to Show Major Manufacturers’ Sentiment Posts 1st Drop in 4 Quarters as Suspended Vehicle Output Causes Widespread Downturn
Forecasters see Tankan report showing weaker outlook
Preview: Japan Q4 GDP to Be Revised Up to Growth from 2nd Straight Contraction After MOF Data Shows Robust Capex but Consumption Remains Sluggish
–Q4 Growth to Be Led by Sharp Upward Revision to Business Investment from Slight Drop–Net Exports Rebound Seen Intact, Public Works May See Sharper Decline–Q1 GDP Growth Expected to Be Weaker as Inflation Keeps Real Wages Down, Labor Shortages Linger By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s economy likely averted a second straight quarterly drop in […]
Japan January Household Spending Posts 11th Straight Y/Y Drop as Vehicle Purchases Slip After Recent Rebound, Consumers Remain Frugal
–Home Maintenance, Repairs Also Down; Pent-Up Demand for Travel Wanes–Eating Out Continues Growing; Tuition, Medical Costs Also Rise on Year–Real Household Income Posts 16th Straight Y/Y Drop on Elevated Costs but Up in Nominal Terms By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted its 11th straight drop on the year in January, down […]
IMF: BOJ Should Consider Unwinding Monetary Easing Under Yield Curve Control Framework Now
–IMF: BOJ Then Should Gradually Raise Interest Rates–IMF Critical of Kishida Government’s ‘Untargeted’ Economic Stimulus Package By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The Bank of Japan should consider unwinding its large-scale monetary easing now by exiting the seven-year-old yield curve control framework, the International Monetary Fund said Friday, noting that easing in the past decade has […]
Japan December Household Spending Posts 10th Straight Y/Y Drop as Inflation Bites, Milder Weather Dampens Demand for Winter Clothing, Heaters
–Households Seeking Savings by Switching to Low-Cost Mobile Phone Plans–Eating Out Continues Growing, Vehicle Purchases, Car Services Rebound–Real Household Income Posts 15th Straight Y/Y Drop on Elevated Costs By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s real household spending posted its 10th straight drop on the year in December, down a deeper-than-expected 2.5%, following a 2.9% dip […]
Rome Ready to Stop EU-wide Banking Reform If More Flexible Fiscal Rules Aren’t Adopted – Sources
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Italy’s rightist government is ready to block key European Union banking reforms if more flexible EU budget rules aren’t adopted in January, according to ruling coalition sources. Italy’s government wants clearer commitments from its EU partners to ease strict fiscal requirements under the Stability and Growth Pact or it […]
Italy-Brussels Tensions Rise Over Delayed Tourism Deregulation, EU COVID Funds’ Revised Targets
By Silvia Marchetti ROME (MaceNews) – Tensions between Rome’s rightist government and Brussels are rising over the investments of revised European post-COVID funds and a delay in deregulating key tourist services, warned opposition forces. Democrat officials are concerned that were Italy to fail in “being credible and efficient” in investing the updated post-pandemic aid, and […]