Japan Data Response Manufacturing PMI (Jul.) & Labour Cash Earnings (Jun.) The first drop in the manufacturing PMI since late last year indicates that the recovery may now be entering a slower phase. Meanwhile wage growth remains insufficient to compensate for rising... 31st July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Industrial Production, Unemployment (Jun.)& Small Business Confidence (Jul.) We are not too worried about the fall in industrial production in June, as manufacturers forecast a strong rebound in July. Small business confidence also remains at relatively high levels. 30th July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Retail Sales (Jun.) Today's retail sales figures suggest that consumer spending will again have given a solid boost to GDP growth in Q2. However, sales in June were lower than a month before, and surveys suggest that... 29th July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Prices (Jun.) The first positive inflation numbers in a year largely reflect the slump in the yen. Excluding food and energy, much of which is imported, Japanese inflation is still negative and should remain so for... 26th July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Weaker exchange rate failing to boost competitiveness The first June trade deficit in more than 30 years shows that the slump in the yen has had little impact on Japan’s competitiveness. With exporters declining to cut prices to boost volumes and global... 24th July 2013 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Economy Watchers' Survey (Sep. 12) The continued sharp fall in confidence revealed in the latest Economy Watchers’ Survey adds to the evidence that the economy contracted in the third quarter. The outlook component is equally weak... 9th October 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Jun.) June’s consumer confidence survey, released today, shows a slight dip compared to May but we suspect that underlying sentiment is weaker than the headline index suggests. The poll was taken nearly a... 10th July 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Trade deficit set to increase further Japan’s merchandise trade deficit rose by more than markets expected in May and we suspect that it will increase further still. Energy imports should continue to grow as the country remains reliant on... 20th June 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Apr.) April’s consumer confidence survey, released today, shows that sentiment edged lower last month suggesting the recovery in sentiment may have now stalled. With signs of the recovery slowing in Q2 and... 15th May 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Mar.) March’s consumer confidence survey, released today, shows sentiment continuing to recover, although it remains below last year’s pre-disaster level. Consumer inflation expectations are also rising... 17th April 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Feb.) The unexpected jump in core machinery orders in February is clearly welcome but, contrary to many of the headlines this morning, it does not signal a strong recovery in Japan’s capital spending. 11th April 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response SME Confidence (Mar.) Confidence among Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) jumped sharply in March after several months of small declines. However, sentiment is clearly fragile as firms expect conditions to... 27th March 2012 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Consumer Confidence (Nov.) The recovery in consumer confidence came to a halt in October and started to unwind in November. Consumers remain particularly concerned about employment prospects, but are also increasingly worried... 12th December 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response SME Business Confidence (Oct.) Confidence amongst Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dipped slightly in October. Sentiment had recovered rapidly from March’s disaster and although it is expected to rebound in... 26th October 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response Machinery Orders (Aug.) Core machinery orders shot up in August, reversing their decline in July. Despite the month-on-month volatility, the trend is clearly upwards and orders should continue to grow. Nonetheless, they... 13th October 2011 · 1 min read
Japan Data Response SME Business Confidence (Sep.) Confidence amongst small and medium sized businesses is back to the level it was before March’s disaster. Economic conditions are generally improving, although firms remain concerned about their... 28th September 2011 · 1 min read
