Japan Rapid Response Japan Flash PMIs (May 26) The composite PMI suggests that economic activity is softening rather than collapsing, while inflation could soon become as strong as it was after the Ukraine War. 21st May 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan External Trade (Apr. 26) Most of the recent strength in exports reflects soaring export prices, while the closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulted in a record plunge in crude oil imports. T 21st May 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Labour Cash Earnings (Mar. 26) While wage growth softened a little in March, it remains strong enough to prompt the Bank of Japan to hike rates as soon as downside risks from the Iran War start to abate. 8th May 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Industrial Production & Retail Sales (Mar. 26) The March activity data only show a small economic hit from the energy shock so far but we still think that the economy will slow noticeably over the next couple of quarters. 30th April 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Tankan (Q1 26) The Tankan survey showed that firms are shrugging off the energy shock caused by the Iran war, which should encourage the BoJ to hike rates at this month’s meeting. 1st April 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Activity & Labour Market (Feb. 26), Tokyo CPI (Mar. 26) The February activity data show that Japan’s economy approached the Iran war with solid momentum and with inflation unlikely to surge, we expect any hit to activity from higher energy costs to be... 31st March 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Consumer Prices (Feb. 2026) Inflationary pressures are more entrenched than the weak headline result would for February would suggest. Indeed, we believe that the Bank of Japan’s preferred measure of core inflation will remain... 23rd March 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Labour Cash Earnings (Jan. 26) The strength in wage growth at the start of the year, combined with promising signs for upcoming spring wage negotiations, should put the Bank of Japan in a good position to resume its tightening... 8th March 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response RENGO 2026 Shunto Pay Request The wage requests unveiled by the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO) today suggest that this year’s spring wage negotiations will result in a pay hike of similar magnitude as last year. 5th March 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Retail Sales & Industrial Production (Jan. 26) On balance, the January activity and inflation figures suggest that the BoJ won’t wait much longer before hiking rates again. 27th February 2026 · 2 mins read
