Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Dec.) The first rise in consumer confidence since July should be followed by a further improvement as falling energy prices improve households’ purchasing power. 19th January 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Nov.) The rebound in machinery orders in November was weaker than expected, and business investment may have been little changed last quarter. Rising capacity shortages, however, suggest that corporate... 15th January 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Dec.) The strong rebound in the Economy Watchers Survey (EWS) in December stands in stark contrast with other business surveys which mostly weakened last month. 13th January 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Current Account (Nov.) The drop in the current account surplus in November was much smaller than expected, and should be followed by a renewed increase in coming months. 13th January 2015 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Dec.) The decline in small business confidence to a seven-month low in December underlines that economic momentum in Japan remains sluggish. 24th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Nov.) The drop in the trade shortfall in November should be followed by a further narrowing in coming months as lower oil prices will reduce the import bill. 17th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Flash Manufacturing PMI (December) The flash manufacturing PMI was broadly unchanged in December and suggests that the sector remains in recovery mode. 16th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Tankan (Q4) Today’s Tankan survey suggests that Japan’s economy stabilised in the fourth quarter, but a rapid recovery is not on the cards. 15th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Oct.) The decline in machinery orders in October follows four increases in a row and is therefore not necessarily a disaster. We think that business investment will start to rebound soon. 11th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Nov.) The renewed fall in consumer confidence last month shows that Abenomics provides little reason to cheer for Japan’s households. 10th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Business Outlook Survey (Q4) The deterioration in business conditions in today’s Business Outlook Survey is largely the result of seasonal patterns. In fact, the survey suggests that the economic recovery remains intact. 10th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Nov.) The plunge in today’s Economy Watchers Survey suggests that Japan’s consumers remain in dire straits as the labour market seems to have softened. 8th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response GDP (Q3 revised) & Current Account (Oct) The second estimate of Q3 GDP showed that the economy shrank at an even faster pace than initially estimated. However, a return to growth in Q4 looks likely. 8th December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Oct.) Wage growth slowed in October, but may see a boost from higher winter bonuses by year-end. However, growth in base pay is unlikely to accelerate much further. 2nd December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Capital Expenditure (Q3) The Ministry of Finance’s survey on corporate finances points to an upward revision of non-residential investment in the second estimate of Q3 GDP. 1st December 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Prices, Unemployment, Industrial Production & Retail Sales (Oct.) Following a surge in industrial output and retail sales in September, we are not too worried about the small drops in October. Indeed, the labour market remains tight despite sluggish demand. However... 28th November 2014 · 1 min read
