Japan's unexpected GDP growth in January-March leaves plenty of reasons for caution
The biggest driver of the expansion was imports falling even faster than exports, meaning that net exports technically drove growth in the economy.
Japan's economy shows modest rebound in October-December quarter
Compared with the previous quarter, the world’s third-largest economy grew a real 0.3 percent, according to preliminary figures from the Cabinet Office.
Japan internal affairs ministry corrects 2018 consumption index data after age error
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said Thursday that it has corrected consumption trend index figures for April-October 2018 following the discovery of a problem with underlying data. The year-on-year change of the index on price-adjusted real terms was revised up by 0.1 percentage ...
Fourth-quarter figures drag China's 2018 growth to a 28-year low of 6.6%
China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter under pressure from faltering domestic demand and bruising U.S. tariffs, dragging growth in 2018 to its lowest level in nearly three decades and pressuring Beijing to roll out more stimulus to avert a sharper slowdown. Growing signs of ...
Foreign tourists spent record ¥4.5 trillion in Japan in 2018
Spending by foreign visitors increases for the seventh consecutive year, with the average person spending ¥153,000, the Japan Tourism Agency says in a preliminary report.
Japanese government's plan for shopper rebate to underpin tax increase grows increasingly complex
The government's plan to hand out rebates to consumers who make cashless purchases could consist of two separate rates, sources with knowledge of the plans said Tuesday, raising concerns that the initiative will be confusing for consumers. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that the ...
Japan's convenience store sales post first decline in five months
Sales at convenience stores fell in October for the first time in five months, down 1.5 percent from a year earlier due to declining demand for tobacco products after a tax increase, an industry body said Tuesday. Same-store sales for seven major convenience store operators, ...
Household spending in Japan falls first time in three months
Households reduced spending for the first time in three months in September due to the effects of natural disasters, leading the government to lower its overall assessment, official data showed Tuesday. Spending by households with two or more people fell 1.6 percent from a year ...
Japan seems to suffer more than its fair share of natural disasters, and this past summer was especially bad. In addition to two earthquakes that resulted in considerable damage, there were strong storms that killed dozens and forced thousands to flee their homes. Some people ...
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. Household income also marked the fastest gain in three years on ...
Japanese retail sales logged 1.6% rise to ¥12 trillion in April
Retail sales in April rose 1.6 percent from a year before to ¥12 trillion, up for the sixth consecutive month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday. Fuel and drug sales grew, while automobile and department store sales declined, METI said in a ...
Lagging inflation and indecisiveness could delay Bank of Japan's exit from easing
The Bank of Japan's preferred inflation gauge fell for the second straight month in April, dropping from 0.9 percent in the previous month to 0.7 percent, as consumer prices refuse to cooperate with the BOJ's 2 percent inflation target, according to government data released ...
