Japanese Economic Trend

1-1. Japanese Economic Trend (December 2011)

In December, the Japanese government announced that the recent Japanese economy is still picking up slowly, while difficulties continue to prevail due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Concerning short-term prospects, reflecting the effects of policy measures, the Japanese economy is expected to continue to pick up moderately. However, there are downside risks that could stem from several events, such as constraints of electric power supply, the consequences of the nuclear accident, and further slowing down of less resilient overseas economies and volatile fluctuations in exchange rates and stock prices due to the Eurozone debt crisis. It should also be noted that there is still a risk of the adverse effects of deflation on the economy and a concern about a possible deterioration of the employment situation.

The consumer price index for November was 99.5, dropped by 0.5 point from previous month. The unemployment rate for November was 4.5%; the same revel to October 2011.

Strong Yen against major international currencies continues to be a motivating driver for Japanese overseas travelers, while it is a discouraging factor for the international travelers who plan to visit Japan, and a threat to Japanese industries that depend heavily on exports.

Monthly Economic Report (Released by Cabinet Office, Government of Japan)
*The data of March to August except Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima

Annualized GDP Changes by Quarters <2004 - 2011> (Seasonally Adjusted)

Glossary Real GDP: The total market value of all goods and services produced within the political boundaries of an economy during a given period of time, usually one year. Consumer Price Index: The measure of change in consumer prices as determined by a monthly survey of the National Statistics Bureau. Among the Consumer Price Index components are the costs of housing, food, transportation, and electricity.

Unemployment Rate % and Unemployment Population