Japan's economy grows for 8th straight quarter

Growth of 0.5 percent is essentially stagnation.

A muddle-along growth rate. Better than negative though.

By comparison, US GDP growth in Q1 is estimated at 4.0% (real, seasonally adjusted annual rate, as of Feb 9).

https://www.frbatlanta.org/cqer/research/gdpnow.aspx

Growth of 0.5 percent is essentially stagnation.

Not if your population is declining. Japan often outgrows its OECD fellow members GDP per capita. GDP alone is merely an aggregate, and premised on the belief that bigger is better. In fact. the world's highest living standards are found in countries with small populations, and hence small economies.

Ok class let us learn a little economics. Ok?

First:

GDP = C + I + G + (X – M) or GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government investment + government spending + (exports – imports). 

So the following comment is total BS:

 "It is due to cut backs in salaries and benefits in corporations putting their profits up. In other words, the economy is expanding at the expense of the workers, while the corporations fill coffers."

Second,

Japan reports real gnp.

Real GDP is a measurement of economic output that accounts for the effects of inflation or deflation. 

So the following comment is total BS again:

"When the GDP is at or below inflation there is a problem. And the Cabinet Office conveniently left that info out."

Japanese companies should provide at least 3 % wage hike to the workers as suggested by PM Abe to spur continuous growth of the Japanese economy. Abenomics has now started showing results which is amply reflected the growth the GDP of the country.

More smoke and mirrors statistics. The economy expanded by a minuscule amount and has been expanding by similar minuscule increments for a short period of time. However, this is not due to economic growth. It is due to cut backs in salaries and benefits in corporations putting their profits up. In other words, the economy is expanding at the expense of the workers, while the corporations fill coffers.

Abenomics is providing "a wide range of tax measures quite beneficial to Japanese firms", she said, with the current expansion phase less reliant on exports.

But is Abenomics providing a wide range of tax measures quite beneficial to Japanese HOUSEHOLDS? No.

Growth is still growth!

What is with this constant need to criticise and talk down every little bit of good news? Seriously,  with the way the world is at the moment any positive news that happens needs to be encouraged!

Incredible news! Am definitely seeing a big uptick in business activity and wage growth on my end

0.5% growth doesn't even keep up with the annual increases in tax and cost of living, what a joke.

0.5% at a time when the world's stock markets are booming and seeing all time highs.

makes one feel a little nervous, what's this economy going to do when the bulls are replaced by the bears. we're long overdue for a market correction. if we can only manage 0.5% during the best economic climate in decades...

Disillusioned pretty much nailed it

When the GDP is at or below inflation there is a problem. And the Cabinet Office conveniently left that info out.

What is with this constant need to criticise and talk down every little bit of good news? 

Because most of the JT posters from years ago predicted that Japan is headed one way: down. They confidentally predicted debt crisis, shriveling growth, collapse in the yen, etc. Since current events prove them to be beyond wrong, they need to invent an alternate reality.

Yet, I have not seen my pay nor that of anyone I know here increase ！