Japan Real Time Charts and Data

Edward Hugh is only able to update this blog from time to time, but he does run a lively Twitter account with plenty of Japan related comment. He also maintains a collection of constantly updated Japan data charts with short updates on a Storify dedicated page Is Japan Once More Back in Deflation?

Friday, August 31, 2007

Japan July 2007 Industrial Output

Numbers released today by the Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry showed a fall in industrial production in July, a development which will provide further encouragement for BoJ bearishness on interest rates. Industrial output fell a seasonally adjusted 0.4 per cent from June.





In this case it doesn't so much seem to be the weather which is being given the reponsibility, but rather the earthquake:

``Industrial production was affected by the earthquake, but if you look at the outlook, we needn't be too concerned,'' Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Hiroko Ota said at a regular press conference in Tokyo.

However, if we look at the chart for the rate of annual increase by month, we will see that this has now been slowing since February, and maybe my memory is short but I don't recall earthquakes in March, April, May or June.