Japan Data Response Retail Sales, Industrial Production & Consumer Prices (Jan.) Today's data confirm that the economy is picking up speed ahead of the consumption tax hike. However, the first fall in inflation since the start of QQE shows that the BoJ still has more work to do... 28th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Feb.) The modest fall in small business confidence in February will likely be followed by a further deterioration in coming months as conditions are set to weaken after April's sales tax hike. 25th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Jan 14) January’s trade data indicate that the drag on Japan’s economy from net exports persisted at the start of the new year. With domestic demand surging ahead of the consumption tax hike, the monthly... 20th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response GDP (Q4 Preliminary) Weak Q4 GDP figures show that the surge in spending ahead of the consumption tax hike has yet to come. 17th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Dec.) The sharp fall in machinery orders in December casts doubt on whether the fledgling recovery in business investment will continue. What's more, overall investment is set to weaken in coming months as... 12th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Current Account (Dec), Consumer Confidence & Economy Watchers Survey (Jan) The current account deficit reached a record high in December, but should narrow once domestic demand slows after the upcoming consumption tax. Indeed, today's sentiment surveys point to weakening... 10th February 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Retail Sales (Dec.) Despite a fall in December, retail sales still recorded a solid rise in the final quarter of last year. While there are some indications that consumers have brought forward demand ahead of April's... 30th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Small Business Confidence (Jan.) Small business confidence climbed to yet another fresh high in January. Conditions seem to be more buoyant in the non-manufacturing sector than in manufacturing, but sentiment will likely deteriorate... 28th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Dec.) The seasonally-adjusted trade deficit narrowed in December, but the full-year deficit surged. The trade shortfall is likely to widen again in the near-term as domestic demand is brought forward ahead... 27th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Senior Loan Officer Survey (Q4) The BoJ’s Senior Loan Officer Survey shows that despite some slowdown in household loan demand, overall loan demand continues to accelerate. 23rd January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Dec) The renewed fall in consumer confidence in December shows that households are less satisfied with Abenomics than after its start. 17th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Nov.) Machinery orders surged to a five-year high in November and point to a renewed recovery in business investment. However, overall investment may still weaken in coming months as residential investment... 16th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers Survey (Dec) & Current Account (Nov) The renewed rise in the current activity component of the Economy Watchers Survey shows that conditions remain strong for now. But the prospect of a slump in demand after the upcoming consumption tax... 14th January 2014 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response External trade (Nov.) The weak yen is largely to blame for the recent widening of the trade deficit. As domestic demand accelerates ahead of the consumption tax hike, the deficit may well widen further in the near-term... 18th December 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Tankan (Q4) The Bank of Japan's Tankan survey showed a further improvement in business conditions in the fourth quarter. However, the pace of the improvement has slowed, which points to a slowdown in GDP growth. 16th December 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Oct.) The rise in machinery orders in October leaves the uptrend intact and should ease concerns that the fledgling recovery in business investment has already come to an end. 11th December 2013 · 1 min read
