Japan's July producer prices rise 7.2% Y/Y, slightly below expectations
MSN·- Japan's producer prices rose 7.2 % year-on-year in July 2026, easing slightly from a revised 7.3 % increase in June. - The latest figure came in below the market expectations of 7.4 %. - This data points to a minor cooling in commodity and energy cost pressures.Japan business mood rises as semiconductor boom lifts manufacturers: Reuters poll
CNA·- According to the latest Reuters Tankan survey, Japan's business confidence improved in August 2026, driven by strong semiconductor demand and robust domestic consumption. - The manufacturing sentiment index rose from 13 in July to 18 in August, reaching its highest level since March 2026, while the non-manufacturing index increased from 25 to 28. - Despite the current gains, manufacturers expect their confidence index to moderate slightly to 16 by November, reflecting cautious optimism regarding future business conditions.Japan Jun Real Wages Maintain 1.6% YoY Growth, Rising for Six Straight Months
AASTOCKS News·- Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that June cash earnings rose 3.4% year-on-year to 531,677 yen, or about 3,373.6 dollars. - Japan's real wages in June maintained a 1.6% year-on-year growth, marking the sixth consecutive month of increases. - Basic wages for Japanese workers increased by 3.4% year-on-year in June, while overtime pay remained at a 2.8% growth rate.BOJ keeps rates steady, delivers hawkish signal as government props up yen
Businesstimes News·- The Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate at 1 % on July 31 while signaling further borrowing cost increases amid government efforts to support the weak yen through market intervention. - The government intervention followed a 71 magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto, and Tokyo's actions received support from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the undervalued currency. - While the central bank balanced economic resilience and inflation pressures from geopolitical conflicts, most analysts expect another rate hike to 1.25 % by the end of the year.Japan’s June snapshot: Factory output beats expectations, retail growth softens, Tokyo inflation picks up to 1.9%
MSN·- Japan's economy showed mixed signals in mid-2026, with factory output growing and unemployment remaining steady while retail sales decelerated. - June retail sales grew by only 0.5% year-over-year, marking a sharp slowdown from May's revised 5.0% and missing the expected 3.1%. - Meanwhile, rising inflation in Tokyo pushed stocks and the yen sharply higher.