Mexican Media Brands
Core Inflation Stalls in Japan
Japan's core inflation rate, which ignores food prices and a tax increase, dropped to zero in January, according to government data.
#economics
Share
Japan's core inflation rate, which ignores food prices and a tax increase, dropped to zero in January, according to government data. It was the first time since May 2013 that inflation failed to grow.
The Bank of Japan considers 2% expansion normal and had pledged to reach that goal by this spring. Economists predict the central bank will ramp up stronger economic incentives this spring to avert a dangerous deflationary spiral.
Other statistics show household spending in Japan dropped for a 13th consecutive month in February. This time it fell nearly 3% compared with the same month in 2014.
Other government data offer some hope for an economic revival. Japan's unemployment rate dropped one-tenth of a point to 3.5% from January to February. A round of relatively large pay hikes due later this year from the country's largest companies should help bolster average household income.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Lincoln-Shinola, Euro EV Sales, Engineered Carbon, and more
On a Lincoln-Shinola concept, Euro EV sales, engineered carbon for fuel cells, a thermal sensor for ADAS, battery analytics, and measuring vehicle performance in use with big data
-
Ford’s $42 Billion Cash Cow
F-Series pickups generate about 30% of the carmaker’s revenue. The tally is about twice as much as what McDonald’s pulls in.
-
On Quantum Navigation, EVs, Auto Industry Sales and more
Sandia’s quantum navi, three things about EVs, transporting iron ore in an EV during the winter, going underwater in an EV (OK, it is a sub), state of the UK auto industry (sad), why the Big Three likes Big Vehicles, and the future of logistics.