Business / Economy Dec 9, 2019
Japan's economy grew much faster in third quarter than first estimated
The expansion was propelled by capital investment and individual consumption ahead of the Oct. 1 consumption tax hike.
Business Nov 21, 2019
Japan to allow tax-free shopping at vending machines that recognize faces and passports
The government and ruling coalition are planning to allow tax-free shopping for purchases at specific vending machines in a bid to spur spending by foreign tourists, sources said Wednesday. Currently, the authorities only grant the tax-free status to shops that sell over-the-counter goods because of ...
Business Nov 9, 2019
China's consumer prices grew at their fastest rate in almost eight years in October driven by a spike in pork prices caused by an outbreak of African swine fever, according to official figures released Saturday. The consumer price index (CPI) — a key gauge of ...
Business / Economy Nov 8, 2019
Household spending rose at a record year-on-year pace before Japan's October tax hike
Japan's household spending increased at the fastest pace on record in September, boosted by last-minute buying ahead of a consumption tax hike starting Oct. 1, government data showed Friday. Spending by households with two or more people rose 9.5 percent in real terms to ¥300,609 ...
Business / Economy Oct 30, 2019
Japan retail sales grew at fastest pace since 2014 ahead of tax hike, but outlook murky
Japanese retail sales grew at the strongest pace in 5½ years in September as consumers rushed to buy big-ticket items to beat a rise in the country's sales tax, raising concerns spending could pull back sharply in the coming months. The Oct. 1 increase in ...
Business / Economy Oct 18, 2019
Japan's inflation slows to 29-month low in September on falling oil prices
Japan's core consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in September from a year earlier, with the pace of growth slowing to a 29-month low due to lower crude oil prices, government data showed Friday. The nationwide core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, ...
Business / Economy Oct 11, 2019
Japan's government pledges to act swiftly if economy slows after tax hike
The government has pledged that it will act swiftly, with steps that could include compiling stimulus measures, if the domestic economy shows signs of a slowdown following the recent consumption tax hike. At a meeting Thursday of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, headed ...
Business / Economy Oct 8, 2019
China's 'Golden Week' consumer spending offers weakening economy rare respite
Spending on retail goods and dining during China's week-long National Day holidays returned to growth this year, offering unexpected respite to an economy that has been expanding at its weakest pace in almost three decades. The "Golden Week" break, which started with National Day on ...
Business / Economy Oct 2, 2019
Tax hike to heat up battle among Japan's restaurants to keep customers
by Junko Horiuchi
The consumption tax hike has brought the restaurant industry — already grappling with shortages of labor and rising costs of materials — yet another challenge in keeping customers and attracting new ones. Major restaurant operators have taken various measures out of fear that the tax ...
Business / Economy Oct 2, 2019
Companies on average expect domestic consumer prices to rise 0.9 percent in a year's time, a quarterly Bank of Japan survey for September showed Wednesday. The expected rate was unchanged from the previous poll in June, the BOJ said. The average projected inflation rate was 1.0 ...
Business / Economy | ANALYSIS Sep 30, 2019
Despite government steps, Japan's consumption will take a hit from tax hike, analysts say
by Kazuaki Nagata and Satoshi Sugiyama
The move remains unpopular among the public, and only time will tell whether the economy will suffer a deep impact.
Business Sep 28, 2019
U.S. consumer spending slowed sharply in August, according to government data released Friday, suggesting turmoil from President Donald Trump's trade wars is hitting home for the general public. And in another sign trade tribulations are weighing on American industry, demand for big-ticket manufactured goods also ...