Japan upgrades Q3 GDP as global recession, COVID risks linger

Tokyo says financial system contracted 0.8 % in July-September interval, in contrast with earlier estimate of 1.2 %.

Japan economy
Japan's financial system, the world's third-largest, shrank lower than initially estimated within the third quarter [File: Yuriko Nakao/Reuters]

Japan’s financial system, the world’s third-largest, shrank lower than initially estimated within the third quarter, bolstering a view that it's slowly recovering from COVID-19 doldrums whilst giant export markets present additional indicators of weakening.

Separate information confirmed the financial system had recorded its first present account deficit in eight years in October, reflecting excessive import prices imposed on households and companies by a decline within the yen’s worth to multi-decade lows this 12 months.

The revised 0.8 % annualised quarterly contraction within the gross home product (GDP) launched by the Cupboard Workplace on Thursday in contrast with economists’ median forecast for a 1.1 % annualised decline in a Reuters ballot and an early official estimate of a contraction of 1.2 %.

The revision was pushed by the upward change in non-public inventories and in contrast with a 4.5 % annualised quarterly achieve within the earlier quarter.

Japan’s financial system unexpectedly shrank within the third quarter as world recession dangers, China’s faltering financial system, a weak yen and better import prices damage consumption and companies.

The financial system could rebound within the present quarter because of the easing of provide restrictions on semiconductors and automobiles, and lifting of COVID-19 border controls, boosting tourism, some analysts say.

Nonetheless, others are bracing for the worldwide financial system to tip right into a recession subsequent 12 months, dealing a pointy blow to trade-reliant Asian exporters resembling Japan.

“Resumption of inbound tourism and campaigns to advertise home journey will enhance non-public consumption, serving to the financial system return to development within the October-December quarter,” mentioned Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin Analysis Institute.

“Going ahead, a worldwide slowdown led by price hikes in superior economies and a real-estate hunch in China will weigh on the Japanese financial system, presumably inflicting a technical recession, or two straight quarters of contraction within the first half of subsequent 12 months.”

Earlier than annualising, third-quarter GDP was down 0.2 % on the earlier quarter, in contrast with the preliminary contraction estimate of 0.3 %. Analysts had anticipated an identical decline to the sooner studying.

Amongst key sectors, non-public consumption, which makes up greater than half of Japan’s GDP, helped drive development, although it was revised down. Capital expenditure and exports had been the opposite essential contributors to development.

Nonetheless, a weak yen and hefty import payments, which enhance the price of residing, greater than offset GDP development contributors.

Growing power and different import prices introduced Japan a seasonally adjusted present account deficit of 609.3 billion yen ($4.45bn) in October, Ministry of Finance information confirmed. It was the primary shortfall since March 2014.

Earlier than the seasonal adjustment, October’s present account deficit stood at 64.1 billion yen, the primary deficit since January.

The Financial institution of Japan’s newest Tankan survey of enterprises confirmed the temper of producers had worsened within the three months to September, as stubbornly excessive materials prices clouded the outlook for the delicate financial system.

Producers’ outlook for additional restoration remained flat, whereas service-sector corporations noticed situations worsening, a Reuters month-to-month survey discovered on Wednesday.

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