Richard Katz
TOE Alert: GPIF Sses Pensioners' Money to Boost Stock Prices
written by Richard Katz on March 05, 2015
The stock monitor in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s office is just one of the indicators of the degree to which he sees rising stock prices as pivotal to approval ratings. In the past, he has used “jawboning” to try to raise stock prices. Now, he is using the money of Japan’s retirees and soon-to-be retirees.
TOE Alert: Real Wages Fall Again in January
written by Richard Katz on March 05, 2015
In January, real wages in Japan were down 1.5% from a year earlier, whereas in the middle of 2014, they had been down as much as 3.5%
TOE Alert: January Figures Show Income and Consumption Continue to Lag
written by Richard Katz on March 03, 2015
Richard analyzes how the the post-tax hike decline in income and spending continued through January.
TOE Alert: How Bright A Spot Were January's Exports?
written by Richard Katz on March 02, 2015
In this report, Richard argues that Japan's January exports may not be that much of a bright spot as the statistics indicated.
GDP Disappoints Again in 4th Quarter, Part 2
written by Richard Katz on February 18, 2015
While GDP overall disappointed, there are some bright spots which suggest that 2015 should look better than the zero growth seen in 2104.
GDP Disappoints Again in 4th Quarter, Part 1
written by Richard Katz on February 17, 2015
Japan’s economy limped out of recession with October-December GDP growth at a 2% annual rate, half of the expected growth
Abe's Reform of JA-Zenchu: What it Does and Doesn't Do Less Than Meets the Eye
written by Richard Katz on February 13, 2015
Richard analyses why the Zenchu reform is not an agricultural reform as Abe claims and why it is just another of the incremental steps that have gradually weakened JA-Zenchu’s power over the last few decades.
TOE Alert: BOJ Sends up Grey Flag in Revising Downward Its Inflation Forecast
written by Richard Katz on January 25, 2015
Richard reports that the Bank of Japan Governor has raised the grey flag for achieving the 2% inflation target in two years.
TOE Alert: Some Real Momementum on TPP Raises Likelihood of Conclusion, But Still Uphill Climb
written by Richard Katz on January 24, 2015
Richard discusses the likelihood of the U.S. and Japan reach the TPP pact this year.
TOE Alert: Offshoring Continues to Grow Despite Weak Yen
written by Richard Katz on January 24, 2015
Richard analyzes the reason behind Japanese multinational companies' growing trend to produce in overseas countries, especially in Asia, despite the weakening yen.
