Japan Rapid Response Japan Industrial Production & Retail Sales (Nov. 2025) At first glance, the November activity data appear to be a mixed bag. However, a look under the hood suggests that the economy is poised to rebound firmly from its Q3 contraction. 26th December 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Bank of Japan Meeting (Dec. 2025) The Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates at its meeting today was clearly signalled ahead of time and therefore came as no surprise. Crucially, however, the Board’s hawkish messaging... 19th December 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Consumer Prices (November 2025) With inflation still running hot, the Bank of Japan is certain to resume its tightening cycle at its meeting later today. Moreover, we think there’s a compelling case for the Bank to lift rates... 19th December 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Bank of Japan will lift its policy rate this month In response to a hawkish speech by Governor Ueda today, we now expect the Bank of Japan to lift its policy rate to 0.75% at its upcoming meeting that ends on 19 th December instead of our previous... 1st December 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Retail Sales & Industrial Production (Oct. 25) Strong increases in industrial production and retail sales in October suggest that Japan’s economy at least stopped contracting this quarter. 28th November 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Labour Market (Oct. 25) & Tokyo CPI (Nov. 25) With the labour market still tight and inflation excluding fresh food and energy set to remain above 3% for now, the Bank of Japan will resume its tightening cycle over the next couple of months. 27th November 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Consumer Prices (Oct. 25) With inflation excluding fresh food and energy remaining above 3%, it won’t be long before the Bank of Japan resumes its tightening cycle. 20th November 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan GDP (Q3 2025 Preliminary) The fall in GDP last quarter further reduces the chances of a BoJ rate hike in December but we still think that the Bank will resume its tightening cycle at its January meeting. 17th November 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Labour Cash Earnings (Sep. 2025) Although wage growth picked up a notch in September, regular earnings growth remained lacklustre. That said, if we’re right that next year’s spring wage negotiations will result in a strong lift in... 6th November 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Industrial Production, Retail Sales & Labour Market (Sep. 25) The September activity data suggest that the contraction in Q3 GDP may be milder than we had anticipated and the economy should return to growth this quarter. 31st October 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Bank of Japan Meeting (Oct. 25) The Bank of Japan signaled continued concerns about the impact of higher US tariff when keeping policy settings unchanged today and we’re sticking to our forecast that the next rate hike will only... 30th October 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Flash PMIs (Oct. 25) While the composite PMI softened in October, it still points to a healthy expansion in economic activity. 24th October 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Consumer Prices (Sep. 2025) Although underlying inflation softened somewhat in September, our sense is that there is still a strong case for the Bank of Japan to resume its tightening cycle. However, with policymakers still keen... 24th October 2025 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Coalition Talks The departure of long-standing partner Komeito from Japan’s ruling coalition means that the election of Sanae Takaichi as PM is no longer guaranteed but we still expect her to declare victory... 10th October 2025 · 2 mins read