Japan's exports surge nearly 12% in January in 2nd straight month of gains

Good news. Japanese are importing less, and exports are ticking along very nicely - tourism and vehicles especially.

They export easily as they have a very low currency now compared to the UD dollar and the Euro.

This news should be read observing the whole economical picture.

Well, with a declining population and one third of elderlies, how can you increase the demand ?

The population hasn't actually declined all that much in relation to the economy.

As of February 21, 2024, Japan's population is 122,866,449. This is a 0.54% decline from 2023, when the population was 123,294,513.

Dont blame the elderly, they have money. Increasing demand means increasing wages. Corporations are making money, but are not paying their employees. Inflation is higher than the actual wage increases, meaning an overall net loss to the average consumer!

You want to increase demand? It's really easy. Start paying people wages that cover rises in inflation and taxes. Make the people BELIEVE that it's sustainable over the long haul. Keep it going, and demand WILL skyrocket.

Some things in the current economy do not make sense. But one thing is 100% certain. Increase wages, make employment stable, and people WILL spend!

Awesome news. Now give teachers and nurses a raise and stop invoice seido.

Just another sign of the Japanese economy, domestically, being unable to sustain any growth, and lessening demand because of increased prices due to the weak yen.

Well, with a declining population and one third of elderlies, how can you increase the demand ?

Imports are down as domestic consumption is down. Stagflation is eroding salaries as anyone with a yen base salary is feeling poor. In addition, Japan is importing inflation with its loss monetary policy worsening the outlook for the SME's. Record asset prices in the Nikkei, real estate and JGB market while the economy is in a technical recession is great indicator of another asset bubble. Let's hope Japan can avoid a 1990's style crash. History might not repeat itself it sure does rhyme.

Japan's exports surge: bad news. Japan's exports fall: bad news. Japan's exports stagnate: bad news. That's the stance of JT's Japan doomsayer crowd.

Doesn't matter, through. Check the message archive: you'll find that nearly every prediction or outlook they've made over many years have been wrong.

Awesome! Recovery and expansion!

Is it a good news among the bad ones? No, of course not, because high exports and low imports in fact mean, that we give away all the fruits of our hard work, but neither can afford to import some others in return nor can consume them ourselves inbound. Thinking that over correctly, then it's clearly another catastrophe adding up, privately and economically.

Well said above on wage-based demand but it has to be tied to productivity, otherwise it's just more inflation!

Immigrants increasing, equals more demand, probably for FY 2023 ending March 31st, Japan will likely average over 2k/day net new immigrants or more. So JN's aging and depopulating much faster than above figures.

this is completely inconsistent with the real-feel of the economy, which is going to shite no matter what little pseudo-victories you might celebrate

Prime Minister Emanuel- More money for Kiev

Kishi- Boss, we don't have enough money even for our retirees

Prime Minister Emanuel- Do you want more scandals in the mass media?

Kishi- Hay, hay, hay...Ok Take this blank check...

Prime Minister Emanuel- Good boy..

Just another sign of the Japanese economy, domestically, being unable to sustain any growth, and lessening demand because of increased prices due to the weak yen.

The economy has dropped to No 4 in the world and if things keep going as they are a drop to No. 5 is not out of the question.

https://www.forbesindia.com/article/explainers/top-10-largest-economies-in-the-world/86159/1

Aside from mansions, land prices terrible across Japan if you adjust for inflation. Never seen it so quiet in my nicer area in west Tokyo. Drop in imports, sure tell demand's falling, import prices overall not falling, especially given Yen's $move from approx. 130 to 150 in past 12 months.

Stagflation sums it up well, just like Europe & US, as China's got the building deflation issue, only in Japan land prices clearly deflationary as well like in China.

Good news. Japanese are importing less, and exports are ticking along very nicely - tourism and vehicles especially.

Meanwhile the average Japanese person can't even entertain the idea of traveling overseas anytime in the future.

The domestic recycle shops are crammed full and the ¥100 shops are full of cash-stretched Japanese shoppers while the duty free stores are flowing with moneyed-up foreign customers.

What a turnaround from 30 years ago.

Cheers LDP.

Your policies have worked wonders.

I'm not surprised, given the weak yen. Japan's economy will now have to rely on a weak yen going forward because if Japan gets expensive again tourism will likely fall and fewer cars will be sold.