Japan
LDP: A Victory, Not Mandate
written by Richard Katz on December 15, 2014
In this report, Richard explains why Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a victory, but not a mandate.
Tax Delay the Right Move
written by Richard Katz on December 06, 2014
Richard analyzes why Abe's delay on consumption tax hike is the right move to the Japanese economy.
TOE Alert: LDP Predicted tO Win 300 or More Seats
written by Richard Katz on December 04, 2014
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is currently on a trajectory to win 300 or more seats in the Dec. 14 Lower House election, according to polls in Nikkei, Asahi, Kyodo and Yomiuri, all based on tens of thousands of phone calls.
TOE Alert: Real Wages Drop 16th Month in a Row
written by Richard Katz on December 02, 2014
For the 16th month in a row, real wages for workers were below year-earlier levels.
Consumption, income, inflation Drop in October
written by Richard Katz on December 01, 2014
In October, core inflation—excluding the effect of the consumption tax hike—fell to a rate of 0.9%, price-adjusted income and consumption both fell to levels sharply below year-earlier levels, although there were up from September.
TOE Alert: Election Likely to Buttress Abe - for a while
written by Richard Katz on November 26, 2014
Abe likely to gain clout from elections--temporarily.
Japan Back in Recession: Surprise GDP Drop
written by Richard Katz on November 17, 2014
The big picture is that GDP in 2014, so far, remains worse than 1997. Not a single major forecaster predicted that GDP would drop in July-Sept. The consensus forecast was in the 2.2-2.5% range, depending on the survey.
TOE Alert: Abe Facing Down MOF-BOJ Over Tax Delay
written by Richard Katz on November 14, 2014
From everything we hear, Abe is determined not only to call the early elections we discussed in our Nov. 11 Alert, but he is equally determined to postpone the next hike in the consumption tax from October 2015. Most likely he will postpone it until April 2017.
TOE Alert: Abe Almost Certain to Call Snap Election, Delay Second Tax Hike
written by Richard Katz on November 11, 2014
Abe almost certain to call snap election for Lower House and delay hike in the consumption tax.
TOE Alert: Abe approval down again, so are real wages, TPP delayed, BOJ infighting, etc.
written by Richard Katz on November 10, 2014
Abe’s approval ratings fell again; in the NHK poll, approval was down to 44% while disapproval was up to 38%.
