Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Feb.) Machinery orders fell back sharply in February, and current levels point to broadly stagnant non-residential investment. However, declining spare capacity suggests that capital expenditure should... 10th April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Mar.) Today's Economy Watchers Survey confirms that the outlook for the second quarter remains dire. 8th April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Current Account (Feb.) The decline in the current account deficit in February was hardly surprising. Looking ahead, we expect the balance to return to surplus. 8th April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Feb.) Japan's consumers continue to face severe headwinds as strong employment gains remain insufficient to compensate for falling real wages. 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Tankan (Q1) The improvement in business conditions last quarter fell short of expectations, and the Bank of Japan's Tankan survey suggests that growth will slow sharply in the second quarter of this year. 1st April 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Industrial Production (Feb.) & Manufacturing PMI (Mar.) Today's data show that Japan's manufacturing sector lost some speed ahead of tomorrow's increase in the consumption tax. 31st March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Retail Sales, Unemployment & Consumer Prices (Feb.) Consumer spending was sluggish in February, but the real surge ahead of next month's consumption tax hike will only show up in the March figures. Meanwhile, there are further signs that underlying... 28th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Mar.) Despite reaching a multi-decade high in March, small business confidence is set to weaken sharply in coming months. 25th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Feb.) The sharp fall in the trade deficit in February is welcome, and the shortfall may narrow slightly further in coming months. 19th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Jan) The rebound in machinery orders in January points to a further recovery in business investment. 13th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Feb) The drop in consumer confidence in February shows that consumers are increasingly doubtful about the benefits of Abenomics. 12th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Business Outlook Survey (Q1) Today's Business Outlook Survey suggests that demand should start to recover in Q3 after taking a hit from the consumption tax hike next quarter. 12th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Feb) The plunge in the outlook component of the Economy Watchers Survey in February points to a sharp deterioration in demand in coming months. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response GDP (Q4 Revised) & Current Account (Jan) Despite a small downward revision in the second estimate, last quarter's GDP figures were still not as bad as the headlines imply. 10th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Labour Cash Earnings (Jan.) Sluggish wage growth in Japan remains a major stumbling block to higher inflation and the overall success of Abenomics. 4th March 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Capital Expenditure (Q4) The Ministry of Finance's survey on corporate finances casts renewed doubts on the recovery in business investment. Nonetheless, very strong corporate profitability suggests that firms should be able... 3rd March 2014 · 1 min read
