Bloomberg: Abenomics has chance to reshape Japan

[CityFarmer]

An important step of Abenomics. A ¥8 trillion (S$102 billion) tax per year, with an one-time economic stimulus package worth ¥5 trillion. Hmm... it will help a lot on gov debt, ONLY things go as expected.

Japan PM to raise sales tax but cushions blow with stimulus

TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took a step yesterday that none of his predecessors had managed in more than 15 years — making a dent in the government’s runaway debt.

Mr Abe, riding a wave of popularity with economic policies that have begun to stir the world’s third-biggest economy out of years of lethargy, said the government would raise the national sales tax to 8 per cent in April from 5 per cent currently.

At the same time, he softened the blow to Japan’s nascent recovery: As the tax increase is set to raise an additional ¥8 trillion (S$102 billion) a year, Mr Abe announced an economic stimulus package worth ¥5 trillion.
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/japa...w-stimulus

[CityFarmer]

Status update on Abenomics. It will never be a smooth ride...

Japan’s export growth slows in challenge for Abe

TOKYO — Japan’s export growth slowed last month and the nation extended a record run of trade deficits, a sign that slowing demand in Asia is taking the shine off Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies and clouding the outlook for a budding economic recovery.

Some analysts said a sharp drop in export volume may offset the boost from a weak yen, which tends to give a competitive advantage to Japanese goods sold overseas, and could mean external demand will shave off some third-quarter economic growth.

Despite the weak trade data, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) yesterday raised its assessment for all nine regional economies and its Governor, Mr Haruhiko Kuroda, stressed that the world’s third-largest economy will continue to recover — due mostly to robust domestic demand.

“Japan’s economy is making steady progress towards achieving the BoJ’s 2 per cent inflation target,” he told a quarterly meeting of branch managers.
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/japa...llenge-abe

[kagemusha]

Just a quick question, would you choose a Sony/Sharp/Toshiba LED TV over Samsung/LG LED TV, if tech and price is the same?

A decade ago, the choice maybe obvious but in today's circumstances, is the choice obvious?

What about cars? would you choose a Hyundai/Kia/Daewoo over a Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Suzuki/Mitsubushi.....?

[CityFarmer]

Just a quick question, would you choose a Sony/Sharp/Toshiba LED TV over Samsung/LG LED TV, if tech and price is the same?

A decade ago, the choice maybe obvious but in today's circumstances, is the choice obvious?

What about cars? would you choose a Hyundai/Kia/Daewoo over a Toyota/Honda/Nissan/Suzuki/Mitsubushi.....?

At the same price, I will opt for Samsung for TV, over others, unless the price difference is attractive.

[kagemusha]

just wondering if this is a case of too little, too late.

Others have caught up with them.
Although I must say Japan is still pretty advance in alot of other areas. Robotics for example.....

[CityFarmer]

The policies starting to work...

Japan CPI another signal deflation exit is nearer

TOKYO — Evidence is building that Japan’s aggressive drive to escape 15 years of deflation is starting to work, with last month’s data showing that a key measure of prices did not fall for the first time in nearly five years.

The news is encouraging for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has pursued a mix of aggressive fiscal and monetary policy to reflate the world’s third-largest economy, although success is still far from guaranteed.

The so-called core-core inflation index, which strips out food and energy prices, was flat last month from a year earlier, official data showed. It was the first time the gauge had not fallen since December 2008, indicating price gains are broadening beyond food and energy.

“The ongoing economic recovery is helping improve demand-supply balance in the economy, leading to (higher) prices for not only energy but other products such as durable goods,” said Mr Takeshi Minami, Chief Economist at Norinchukin Research Institute. “The end of deflation is approaching for sure.”
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/japa...xit-nearer

[CityFarmer]

The second arrow Abenomics continue be enforced...

Japan preparing S$68.4b stimulus package: Sources

TOKYO — Japan will craft an economic stimulus package this week worth up to ¥5.6 trillion (S$68.4 billion) to bolster the economy ahead of an increase in the national sales tax in April, people familiar with the process said yesterday.

The size of the package, ordered in October by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will be between ¥5.4 trillion and ¥5.6 trillion, the sources told Reuters
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/japa...ge-sources

[CityFarmer]

Japan approves S$228b stimulus package, doubts remain about impact

TOKYO — The Japanese government yesterday approved an ¥18.6 trillion (S$228 billion) package to pull the economy out of deflation, but doubts remain about its impact.

The measures approved will add 1 percentage point to gross domestic product and create around 250,000 jobs, according to the Cabinet Office.

At the core of the package are ¥5.5 trillion in spending measures which Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered in October to bolster the economy ahead of a national sales-tax hike in April. The government does not have to sell new debt to fund this spending.

The steps approved include measures to boost competitiveness; assist women, youth and the elderly; accelerate reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami; and build infrastructure for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/japa...out-impact

[CityFarmer]

No wonder fund managers are focusing on Japan market...

Abenomics to boost Nikkei towards 22,000 next year: Barclays

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s focus on reviving confidence to spur economic growth means he will drive the Nikkei-225 stock average towards the 22,000 mark next year — a level unseen since 1996 — according to Barclays Bank.
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http://www.todayonline.com/business/aben...r-barclays

[CityFarmer]

So far as good for Abenomics...

Japan business mood improves to six-year high

Big manufacturers’ confidence improved but companies uncertain on whether economy will sustain its momentum: survey

TOKYO — Japanese big manufacturers’ business confidence improved over the three months to December to its highest level in six years, a central bank survey showed today (Dec 16), boding well for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s stimulus policies aimed at ending 15 years of grinding deflation.

But the quarterly “tankan” survey by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) showed companies were less optimistic about the outlook and cautious of boosting capital expenditure, highlighting their uncertainty on whether the economy will sustain its momentum.
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http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/ja...-year-high