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September 12, 2025
 

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CONSUMER SPENDING

Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 3, 2020
Despite pandemic, Uniqlo to open new store in Tokyo's Harajuku
The opening of the shop follows a 56.5 percent plunge in Fast Retailing's domestic same-store sales in April, its worst year-on-year decline.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 7, 2020
Rush to buy masks and toilet paper slows Japan's decline in household spending
Consumer spending fell in February but at a slower than expected pace as households scrambled to buy protective masks, toilet paper and food staples amid the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 1, 2020
Japanese firms preparing for prolonged economic hit from coronavirus outbreak
Japanese companies that do business in China are starting to consider measures to cope with the possibility of a prolonged coronavirus outbreak.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 10, 2020
Japan household spending falls again in November
Household spending fell for a second straight month in November and by more than forecast, according to data released Friday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, suggesting that a higher sales tax may weigh on private consumption for some time.
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.
Japan Times
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.
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.
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.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 2, 2019
Japanese firms forecast 0.9% inflation over next year
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.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Sep 30, 2019
Despite government steps, Japan's consumption will take a hit from tax hike, analysts say
The move remains unpopular among the public, and only time will tell whether the economy will suffer a deep impact.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 13, 2019
Economist expects limited impact from Japan's October tax hike
The impact of the Oct. 1 consumption tax hike from the current 8 percent to 10 percent will be limited as mitigating measures are already in place, according to the chief economist at the Daiwa Institute of Research.
BUSINESS
Sep 2, 2019
Japan braces for tax hike chaos under two-tier system as register shortage looms
As the hike in the consumption tax approaches, consumers and businesses are worried about the confusion that might erupt from differing rates for similar goods.
EDITORIALS
Aug 14, 2019
No cause for optimism over economy's course
Decelerating global growth is testing Japan's efforts toward sustained growth driven by domestic demand.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 6, 2019
Japan's household spending firm but wages weaker
Household spending rose for the seventh straight month in June amid signs that resilient consumer activity could help counter the effects of weak global demand, although the consumption outlook was clouded by softer wages.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jul 17, 2019
Japan's looming sales tax hike prompts less rush demand so far, suggesting painful economic impact can be avoided
The nation's economy is less likely to suffer a painful whiplash from a sales tax increase scheduled for October, early sales figures for autos and apartments suggest.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Dec 3, 2018
Japan hesitantly moves toward a cashless society
Taking out a wallet loaded with cash, receipts and loyalty cards and searching for coins in front of a cashier is a familiar scene at stores in Japan.
EDITORIALS
Dec 1, 2018
Spending to ease tax hike impact
The government should stop and review the effectiveness of the planned measures and their fiscal cost.
Japan Times
JAPAN / YEN FOR LIVING
Nov 9, 2018
Effort to nudge Japan to go cashless with offsets to sales tax hike faces many hurdles
On Oct. 15, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirmed during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting that the government would raise the consumption tax from 8 to 10 percent next Oct. 1. The tax hike has already been postponed twice owing to jitters over how it might affect consumption. The last consumption tax increase,...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 7, 2018
Wage growth in Japan hits 21-year high, possibly signaling a pickup in household spending
Household spending slid in June, but real wages rose at their fastest pace in more than 21 years thanks to higher summer bonuses, a sign that benefits of a prolonged economic recovery are broadening.
Workers say corporate South Korea was warned about questionable U.S. visas before Hyundai raid
Activists holding signs that reads "No one is illegal!" protest against a huge immigration raid last week in the U.S. state of Georgia, in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday.
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.
Thousands without power in Tokyo as heavy rain batters Kanto region
Heavy rain hit Tokyo and surrounding areas Thursday afternoon, causing thousands to lose power, prompting flood warnings, grounding flights and causing transportation issues.
Why more hotels in Japan are offering room-only service
Nipponia Hotel Ise Kawasaki Merchant Town in Ise, Mie Prefecture
Japan's cutting-edge railgun successfully strikes target vessel
The Defense Ministry’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) conducted a ship-board railgun shooting test from June to early July this year with the support of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Niinami’s ouster quick but not unusual as corporations protect reputation
Takeshi Niinami resigns as chairman and CEO of Suntory Holdings.
As Manila modernizes its military, new opportunities emerge for Tokyo
A Brahmos missile system is displayed during a rehearsal for a military parade in New Delhi in January. The Philippines will soon receive its second batch of the supersonic cruise missiles from India.
Shizuoka farmers fight to preserve sustainable tea method that’s steeped in tradition
As of August 2024, the number of confirmed chagusaba farmers had fallen to 302, just over half the 582 reported in 2015, according to the Shizuoka Chagusaba Farming Method Promotion Council.
Search is on for loopholes in Japan’s $550 billion investment pledge
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick argues that U.S. President Donald Trump has sole authority to invest Japan's promised $550 billion.
In rural Hokkaido, the stops and starts of tourism revival on full display
Redevelopment plans for Kawayu Onsen have hit some snags — an example of how bringing tourists back to declining rural communities is far from easy work.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Figure skater Akiko Suzuki was once told her ideal weight should be 47 kilograms, a number she now admits she “naively believed.” This led to her have a relationship with food that resulted in her suffering from anorexia.
The silent battle Japanese athletes fight with weight
By Mai Yoshikawa

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