Tag: Japan

Japan’s economy presents a mixed picture based on the latest data for October 2023. Industrial production saw a notable increase, rising 1.0% mom, exceeding expectations of a 0.7% increase.

TOKYO, Nov 24 (Reuters) – Japan’s factory activity shrank for a sixth straight month in November, while modest growth in the service sector was little changed, a business survey showed on Friday, highlighting the fragility of the economy amid soft demand and inflation.

TOKYO, Nov 20 (Reuters) – Japan’s big employers are set to follow this year’s bumper pay hikes with another round in 2024, which are expected to help lift household spending and give the central bank the conditions it needs to finally roll back massive monetary stimulus.

Third quarter GDP contracted 2.1% from a year ago, after growing 4.8% in the second quarter, compared to expectations for a 0.6% decline in a Reuters poll.

TOKYO, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Core consumer inflation in Japan’s capital Tokyo, considered a leading indicator of nationwide trends, unexpectedly accelerated in October, a sign of broadening price pressures that may keep alive expectations of near-term end to ultra-low interest rates.

TOKYO, Oct 19 (Reuters) – Japan’s exports hit a record level in September, climbing for the first time in three months as automakers revved up shipments to the U.S. and Europe, unshackled from a global chip shortage that had held them back a year earlier.

TOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) – Core inflation in Japan’s capital slowed in September for the third straight month mainly on falling fuel costs, data showed on Friday, suggesting that cost-push pressures are starting to peak in a relief for the fragile economic recovery.

Japan’s core machinery orders fell more than expected in July, as manufacturers balk at new investments in the face of sluggish global growth and weakness in major market China, pointing to a difficult period ahead for the world’s third-largest economy.

 Japan’s economy grew less than initially estimated in the second quarter and wages slumped in July, casting doubt over central bank projections that solid domestic demand will keep the country on course for a recovery.

Japan’s exports fell in July for the first time in nearly 2-1/2 years, dragged down by faltering demand for light oil and chip-making equipment, underlining concerns about a global recession as demand in key markets such as China weaken.

Japan’s economy posted its third straight quarterly expansion, provisional government data showed Tuesday, as robust export growth contributed to an annualized 6% expansion in the second quarter, handily beating market expectations.

The Japan PPI data for July – a.k.a. goods price index, or the price firms charge each other for products – is showing:
Prior month -0.2%
PPI MoM 0.1% versus 0.2% expected.
PPI YoY 3.6% versus 3.5% expected. Prior month 4.1% This is the lowest since April 2021.

The benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond yield hit a fresh nine-year peak on Thursday before pulling back after the Bank of Japan again intervened to cool the speed of the rise.

TOKYO, July 21 (Reuters) – Japan’s core inflation stayed above the central bank’s 2% target in June for the 15th straight month but an index stripping away the effect of energy costs slowed, data showed, suggesting the prolonged commodity-driven price pressures may have peaked.

Japan PPI, AKA Corporate Goods Price Index, for June 2023. This is ‘wholesale’ level inflation, the price that firms charge each other for products.

Core inflation in Japan’s capital perked up in June and remained above the central bank’s 2% target for the 13th month, a sign price hikes were spreading to broader sectors of the economy and keeping policymakers pressured to dial back ultra-easy policy.

Japanese retail sales rose 5.7% in May from a year earlier, up for a 15th straight month and roughly in line with the median market forecast for a 5.4% gain, government data showed on Thursday.

Japan’s stock markets have been testing new highs not seen since 1990 — evoking memories of its “bubble economy” right before the country plunged into its so-called “lost decade.”

Japan’s economy grew an annualized 2.7% in the first quarter of the year, expanding further than earlier estimates of 1.6% made last month, government data showed Thursday.

A fresh bout of weakness in Japan’s currency has lead some market watchers to predict more sizeable interventions by the country’s central bank as it persists with its ultra-dovish policy in a world of high rates and high inflation.