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 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 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 […]
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 […]
Japan Jan Household Spending Plunges As Govt Urges Restrictions To Fight Pandemic
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s household spending posted a sharper-than-expected drop in January as the government called for restricted economic activity to slow the spread of the pandemic, data released Friday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed. Expenditures on eating out and traveling are estimated to have remained weak for the […]
Japan Jan Factory Output Rebounds But Pullback Forecast For Feb/Mar
– Shipments Also Rebound, Inventories Dip, Reflecting Solid Demand – METI: Limited Impact of Govt’s Request for Restricted Economic Activity By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s industrial production rebounded in January, marking the first rise in three months, reflecting solid domestic and overseas demand despite the pandemic, preliminary data released Friday by the Ministry of […]
Japan Government Downgrades View: Economy Picking Up, But ‘Weakness in Some Areas’
— Consumption Slower Amid Pandemic While Capex Playing Catchup — Japan Sees Pickup in Global Demand, Upgrading Views on S. Korea, Indonesia By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Friday downgraded its overview on the domestic economy for the first time since last April, when the first wave of COVID-19 infections prompted shorter business hours […]
Japan Jan CPI Y/Y Drop Shrinks on Suspended Travel Discounts Amid Pandemic
— Lower Energy Costs Remain Key Factor Behind Weak Consumer Prices By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The energy-led downtrend in Japanese consumer prices eased substantially in January as the government suspended discounts on leisure traveling amid surging new coronavirus cases, data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication released Friday showed. The improvement was […]
Japan Jan Exports Mark 2nd Straight Y/Y Rise on Global Silicon Cycle Uptrend
–Pre-Lunar Holiday Rush Shipments Also Supported Higher Export Growth —Japanese Carmakers Plan To Trim Output Amid Semiconductor Shortages By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japanese exports posted the second straight year-on-year increase in January, reflecting the recent recovery trend in global demand for semiconductors, but the faster pace of increase from December was also due to […]