Japan

Article Abstract:

The Japanese economy has been affected by a drop in industrial output in May 1998, and investment spending has also dropped, while unemployment has risen. Consumer confidence seems to have stabilized, though at a weak level. The Japanese yen has dropped in value due to lack of confidence in economic policies. Exports are depressed by weaker sales to Asia offsetting a rise in sales to the US and Europe, leaving the overall position flat despite a weak yen. The government is to tackle the problems of the banking sector and seems to accept that permanent tax reductions are needed. Some sectors are indicating an improvement according to the Tankan Survey for Jun 1998.

Economic Programs, Administration of Economic Programs, Gross Domestic Product, Economic policy

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Japan

Article Abstract:

Japan continues to be in recession. An optimistic forecast for growth in 1999 would be 0.5% but there is doubt whether this will occur. Consumer spending is poor, unemployment is rising due to company restructuring, and corporate profits and investment are both continuing to fall. However, there are also signs that the depths of recession have passed. Exports to some Asian countries have increased, public spending is proving beneficial, and government policies have kept financial rates under control. Some experts believe, however, that Japan's economy will continue to deflate due to necessary restructuring.

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Japan: international economy

Article Abstract:

There appears to be a modest recovery in the Japanese economy although it is not strengthening. However private sector capital spending and housing investment are buoyant and exports are improving helped by the fall in the yen. Industrial production is recovering and the labour market is improving slowly with unemployment down to 3.3% in December 1996. However growth is sure to slow during 1997 due to the tighter fiscal policies, although tax increases could be partly offset by increased incomes and falling unemployment.

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