For the economic recovery to be sustainable, domestic demand needs to strengthen and the consumer prices need to show consistent gains. Both of these factors are most directly influenced by wages.

The shrinking trade balance isn’t a bad thing because it’s partly a result of strong domestic demand. Given that domestic demand is driving the economy, the rise in oil prices alone isn’t enough to derail...

The importance of this spring labor offensive is not whether the increase was 2,000 yen or 500 yen, but that it breaks open a dam that will encourage future base salary increases.

Japan’s consumer spending is pretty firm, and it’s expected to pick up momentum further in the next fiscal year. So far, the growth in consumption hasn’t caught up to the pace of economic growth, but...

But special factors, such as a reduction in fixed telephone fees, kept the growth down to 0.1 percent.

The Bank of Japan has already laid out a map on how it will alter its policy framework, and financial markets are factoring that in. Opposition from the government and politicians to the central bank...

The rises in import prices will likely speed up the process of companies’ passing on such rises to domestic prices.

An economic improvement is spreading through all of Japan. We expect Japan’s fourth quarter GDP to show a pretty good performance.

Mizuno’s comments seem to be a message to the bond market that it should not be surprised by a rate move anytime.

I think the biggest issue from this downgrade will be trust in Moody’s as a ratings agency.

His comments suggest that the BOJ would not end its policy at the February meeting, but he did not deny the possibility of a policy shift in March or April.

The slowdown in recurring profits reflects rising material costs in manufacturing and higher personnel costs in non-manufacturing.

The number is still in line with an overall rising trend.

Domestic demand is clearly the driving force. With strong capital spending plans and signs of rising bonuses, there’s a good chance that the economy will grow more than an annualized 2 percent in the fourth...

There is robust demand for Japanese goods from the U.S. and Asia.

With economic growth being driven by consumer spending, the Bank of Japan will want to end quantitative easing soon to avoid the risk of the economy overheating.

Consecutive gains of core prices provide strong evidence that Japan is finally shaking off a long bout of deflation. It won’t be a surprise if the Bank of Japan makes a policy turn even before...

The functions of credit creation will strengthen amid increasing demand for funds linked to mergers and acquisitions and expectations for higher interest rates.

We anticipate Japanese companies will try to compete in hiring good workers, driving up wages. Improving employment and rising wages will support demand, prop up economic growth and spur inflation.