Tag - japan-economy

 
 

JAPAN ECONOMY

EDITORIALS
Jul 7, 2014
Getting multiple tax rates to fly
The ruling coalition parties are trying to decide whether to introduce a reduced consumption tax on some daily necessities when the current 8 percent rate rises to 10 percent in October 2015.
EDITORIALS
Jul 3, 2014
Mixed picture for the economy
Although large manufacturers appear more optimistic about the course of the Japanese economy in the months ahead, the latest Tankan survey and other economic data show signs that growth could be hampered.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 26, 2014
Deceptive labor shortages
Is Japan experiencing a real economic recovery or an attempt by the Abe administration to cheer people up with the appearance of lively labor markets?
EDITORIALS
Jun 16, 2014
Work-hour 'reform' ripe for abuse
The Abe administration is pushing to exempt certain kinds of workers from labor standards as part of his economic growth strategy without soliciting the views of labor organizations concerned about the fate of overtime pay.
EDITORIALS
May 22, 2014
Risks for the economy
Japan's gross domestic product for January-March increases by a higher-than-expected 1.5 percent from the previous quarter, driven partly by last-minute purchases by consumers ahead of the three-percentage-point hike in the consumption tax April 1.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 15, 2014
Restructure or suffer, Fed official warns Japan
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams said Thursday structural reforms are needed if Japan is to solve long-term problems, including its aging society and shrinking workforce, calling monetary policy "a limited tool."
EDITORIALS
Apr 20, 2014
Exports that defy reason
Why would a country that suffered disastrous accidents at a nuclear power plant three years ago choose to push the export of its nuclear power technology around the world? Yet, the Abe administration sees this as a pillar of its economic strategy.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 17, 2014
Japan misses chance as Abe looks backward
For Abenomics bulls who still hold out hope that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe intends to make good on his pledges to revitalize Japan, the past week must have been at least a little disconcerting.
BUSINESS
Apr 1, 2014
Banks see economy withstanding sales tax increase
The economy will probably withstand the consumption tax increase that took effect Tuesday as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares stimulus measures and companies raise wages, the new head of the bank lobby said.
EDITORIALS
Mar 14, 2014
Will pay hikes become a trend?
The pay raises offered by leading Japanese firms this week are an encouraging sign that some companies, at least, are translating better corporate earnings posted the past year into higher wages for workers — thanks partly to unusual government pressures put on management.
EDITORIALS
Mar 3, 2014
Taxing adjustments ahead
With the consumption tax hike set to rise in less than a month, the government must make sure the hike doesn't lead to unfair transaction practices between large firms and their subcontractors and suppliers.
EDITORIALS
Jan 29, 2014
Wage hikes can help end deflation
This year's wage negotiations have started, and for the first time in five years, Japan's largest labor organization will demand across-the-board raises in wage bases. The Japan Business Federation concurs but in more evasive language.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 17, 2013
So far, so good for 'Abenomics'
Give the first year of 'Abenomics' an 'E' for effort, as the 'third arrow' of the plan — long-term growth strategy — cannot yet be fairly assessed. Hopefully bureaucratic resistance to deregulation will soften in the coming year.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 10, 2013
Joe Biden asked the right question about women in Japan's workforce
The real disgrace isn't U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's 'gaffe,' but how little is changing for Japanese women even under a prime minister who has pledged to empower them as never before.
EDITORIALS
Nov 12, 2013
Wage hikes for a sustained recovery
After enjoying increased sales and better bottom lines, Japanese companies can do their part to put the economy back on a sustainable growth path by raising workers' wages.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 8, 2013
Current account surplus tumbles
As the depreciation of the yen and growing demand for energy drove up import costs, the nation's current account surplus in August plunged 63.7 percent from a year earlier to ¥161.5 billion, government data showed Tuesday.
EDITORIALS
Oct 2, 2013
Consumption tax raise misdirected
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirms that the government will raise the sales tax from 5 to 8 percent beginning in April. But will the tax hike lead to an economic downturn
EDITORIALS
Aug 15, 2013
Strong enough for a sales tax hike?
Japan's annualized GDP growth has topped 2 percent for two straight quarters. But is economic recovery strong enough to go ahead with sales tax hikes starting next April
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 5, 2013
Abenomics cannot succeed without cheap nuclear power
Everybody knows that Japan has an energy crisis. We also know that the yen has greatly depreciated, by some 20 percent in just a few weeks. It's time to put these two facts together.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 5, 2013
Learning from Japan's struggle
Americans could learn from a new prime minister's efforts to revive the flagging economy of Japan, once viewed as the next economic superpower.

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