Japan
Japan
Real Gross Domestic Product
Real Chained Gross Domestic Product, Quarterly Annualized Change, %, NSA, Updates Quarterly
Real Gross Domestic Product measures the change in the inflation-adjusted value of all goods and services produced in the economy. It comprises private consumption and investment, inventory buildup, government spending and net exports. Markets watch this indicator to gauge the strength and composition of growth.
Japan
Unemployment Rate
Unemployment Rate, All Persons, Total Labour Force, %, SA, Updates Monthly
The Unemployment Rate measures the percentage of the labor force currently not working but actively seeking employment. Markets monitor the unemployment rate to assess the cyclical health of the economy and the likelihood that wage demands may increase inflationary pressures.
Japan
Consumer Prices
All Items, Core (All Items Excluding Fresh Food), Core-Core (All Items Excluding Food and Energy), Annual Change, %, SA
The Consumer Price Index is a measure of the change over time in the average prices paid by consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. As the most widely used measure of inflation, changes in the index are closely followed by policymakers, financial markets, businesses, and consumers. Statistics Japan reports an 'All Items' number that includes all categories in the calculation basket, a 'Core' number that strips out highly volatile fresh food prices, and a 'Core-Core' measure that removes fresh food and energy prices.
Japan
Policy Rate
Uncollateralised Overnight Call Rate (pre-1998: Official Discount Rate), %
The Bank of Japan Policy Rate refers to the base rate used by the central bank to implement or signal its monetary policy stance. It is currently represented by the “uncollateralised overnight call rate” charged when financial institutions lend and borrow short-term funds in the call markets, where financial institutions lend and borrow short-term funds, but previously referred to the interest rate charged on excess reserves. The Bank targets this rate to influence monetary variables in the economy, including consumer prices, exchange rates, and credit growth. The rate is reassessed on eight fixed dates each year.
Japan
Money Supply
M2 Money Supply, Annual Change, %, SA
M2 Money Supply is a measure of currency that includes cash, checking deposits, and non-cash assets that can easily be converted into cash. Markets don’t typically respond directly to changes in M2, but growth in the money supply can influence inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates over longer time horizons.
Japan
Central Bank Assets
Bank of Japan Total Assets, Trillions JPY, Updates Monthly
The Bank of Japan’s Balance Sheet is a financial statement that shows what the central bank owes and owns. The Bank’s assets consist primarily of Government of Japan and corporate bonds. Its liabilities are mostly currency in circulation, commercial bank reserves, and collateralized reverse repurchase agreements. The balance sheet is used to influence interest rates – when officials want to stimulate the economy, it expands, and when they wish to tighten financial conditions, it shrinks.
Japan
Debt Ratios
Credit to General Government, Non-Financial Corporate, and Household Sectors, % of Gross Domestic Product at Market Value, Updates Quarterly
Aggregate Debt Ratios measure the total borrowing of the general government, non-financial corporate, and household sectors, expressed as a share of gross domestic product. Total debt is followed by investors as a gauge of the vulnerability of an economy to financial shocks. An overly fast pace of debt growth is also frequently associated with a buildup of unproductive investment and excessively high asset valuations.
Japan
Net International Investment Position
Net International Investment Position, Millions USD, Updates Annually
The Net International Investment Position is the difference between the external financial assets and liabilities of a nation. A nation with a positive position is a creditor nation and is generally considered a safe haven in financial markets. A nation with a negative position is a debtor nation, with deeper balance of payments vulnerabilities.
Japan
Currency Reserves
Official Reserve Assets, Foreign Currency Reserves (in Convertible Foreign Currencies), Billions USD, Updates Monthly
Currency Reserves show external holdings that are freely usable for settlement of international transactions, and are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in currency markets to affect exchange rates, and for other related purposes. Developed markets with widely used, freely tradeable international currencies typically provide reserve assets rather than engaging in reserve accumulation.
Latest Analysis
Latest Analysis
Jobs boost
03 July, 2025
• Upbeat tone. US equities, bond yields, & the USD edged up overnight. EUR eased back, as did NZD & AUD, though they remain at high levels.• US data. US jobs report a bit better than expected....
US Jobs Report Crushes Expectations, Triggering Dollar Rally
03 July, 2025
The US job creation engine accelerated last month, weakening market expectations for at least two rate cuts from the Federal Reserve in the back half of the year. According to data just released by the...
USD remains on the back foot
01 July, 2025
• Consolidation. Modest moves across most markets. USD index remains heavy with EUR pushing higher. AUD hovering near top of its range.• Macro pulse. US manufacturing ISM shows momentum still sluggish....
US dollar blues
30 June, 2025
• Pressure points. US equities hit another record high, while the USD remains under pressure. AUD has risen to the top of its multi-month range.• USD trends. USD index ~10.5% below where it started the...
US jobs in focus
29 June, 2025
• Holding on. Pockets of volatility on Friday but on net US equities & bond yields rose. EUR continues to climb. AUD drifted a little lower.• US macro. Consumer spending fell. Some signs of tariff...
Canadian Dollar Plunges As Trump Threatens To Reimpose Tariffs
27 June, 2025
The peace and quiet was nice, while it lasted. The Canadian dollar is down almost 60 basis points after President Donald Trump said he was ending all trade negotiations with the country, while threatening...
Markets Turn Cautious As US Consumer Spending Engine Slows
27 June, 2025
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure came in slightly hotter than expected in May—lending support to the central bank’s cautious approach—but personal spending levels missed forecasts, pointing...
USD losing altitude
26 June, 2025
• US trends. Outlook for US rate cuts supported sentiment & exerted more pressure on the USD. AUD at the top of its multi-month range.• Macro forces. Patchy US growth & signs the labour market...
"Shadow Fed Chair" Fears Drive Dollar Lower
26 June, 2025
The dollar is trading near a three-year low and Treasury yields are down across the curve after a report suggested that Donald Trump could appoint the next Federal Reserve chair early in an attempt to...
USD pressure points
25 June, 2025
• Mixed fortunes. US equities & bonds consolidated, while USD remains on backfoot. EUR & GBP near cyclical highs. AUD & NZD a little firmer.• USD trends. Fundamental forces continue to undermine...