Published

Inflation Rate Shrinks in Japan

Japan's core consumer price index, which ignores volatile food prices, shrank by 0.1% last month compared with August 2014, according to government data.
#economics

Share

Japan's core consumer price index, which ignores volatile food prices, shrank by 0.1% last month compared with August 2014, according to government data.

When food prices are included, last month's price index expanded 0.2% year on year but was unchanged from July 2015. Economists, who expected the decline, say the shrinkage may prompt the Bank of Japan to increase its stimulation efforts to avoid damaging deflation.

The country's economy shrank 0.4% to an annualized 1.6% in April-June compared with an expansion of 4.5% in January-March. Analysts blame the slumping economy on sagging export volume (especially to the U.S. and China) and lackluster consumer spending.

RELATED CONTENT

  • On The German Auto Industry

    A look at several things that are going on in the German auto industry—from new vehicles to stamping to building electric vehicles.

  • 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.

  • Inside Ford

    On this edition of “Autoline After Hours” Joann Muller, Detroit bureau chief for Forbes, provides insights into what she’s learned about Ford, insights that are amplified on the show by our other panelists, Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst at IHS Markit who specializes in the auto industry, and Todd Lassa, Detroit Bureau Chief for Automobile.

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions