Business / Economy May 18, 2022
Japan’s sputtering recovery offers support for BOJ stimulus case
by Yoshiaki Nohara
Gross domestic product contracted at an annualized pace of 1% in the quarter through March, the Cabinet Office reported Wednesday.
Business / Economy May 10, 2022
Japan household spending beats expectations, but inflation risks loom
The 2.3% drop in spending in March was the first in three months, though the decline was also partly due to a tough comparison with March 2021, when spending surged 6.5%.
Business / Economy May 2, 2022
Hope fizzles out for Japan's 'revenge spending' splurge as inflation looms
by Kantaro Komiya and Kentaro Sugiyama
Facing the prospect of struggling with rising prices, Japan's famously thrifty consumers are tightening their belts even as they sit on the remains of an estimated ¥50 trillion in savings.
Business Mar 24, 2022
China’s consumers face deeper economic damage from COVID lockdowns
President Xi Jinping has pledged to reduce ‘COVID zero’ fallout, but unease may last longer if people remain wary and unemployment continues to rise.
Business / Economy Mar 17, 2022
As costs rise in Japan, even businesses accustomed to deflation are raising prices
by Kantaro Komiya, Tetsushi Kajimoto and Daniel Leussink
On top of changing ingredients or reducing portion sizes, firms have implemented unusual price hikes to goods such as cooking oil, snacks and popular instant noodle brands.
Business / Economy Mar 17, 2022
Japanese households accumulate record financial assets as COVID curbs spending
The financial assets households had accumulated at the end of December were 4.5% higher than the level the year before.
Business / Economy Feb 15, 2022
Japan's economy rebounds on solid consumption but omicron clouds outlook
The world's third-largest economy expanded an annualized 5.4% in the final three months of 2021, with falling coronavirus cases helping to prop up consumption.
Business Feb 11, 2022
Japan to inspect gas stations where prices are rising despite wholesale subsidies
Despite the subsidy program, the average retail price of regular gasoline had risen for the fifth straight week to ¥171.2 per liter as of Monday, adding to the burden on consumers.
Business / Economy Feb 8, 2022
Japan's household spending fell for fifth straight month in December
The weak figure raises some concerns for policymakers hoping a rebound in consumer demand will support the economy.
National | EXPLAINER Feb 6, 2022
Volatile international oil situation takes toll on Japan’s gas prices and policy
by Eric Johnston
The price at the pump reached ¥170 per liter on Jan. 24 — the highest it’s been in over 13 years.
Business / Economy Feb 3, 2022
Global inflation wave pushes up prices in Japan on everything from pasta to gasoline
by Kazuaki Nagata
Japanese companies are generally reluctant to pass higher costs on to price-sensitive consumers, but many feel they have no choice and prices on a slew of products are on the rise.