Abe
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.
Abe’S Man Loses Saga Governor Vote To JA (Japan Agriculture)
written by Richard Katz on January 12, 2015
Richard analyzes the Saga Prefecture election setback to Abe and its possible implications for TPP.
A Victory, not a Mandate
written by Richard Katz on January 09, 2015
Hope in Abe and Abenomics disappearing.
LDP Does Not Owe Victory to Rural Districts
written by Richard Katz on December 17, 2014
This report analyzes that Abe has the electoral ability to override the farm lobby on TPP—and its allies within the LDP if he wants to, since the LDP was not dependent on the rural vote for its victory.
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.
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.
