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Japan's current account surplus rises 38%

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The country's surplus in the current account came to 1.82 trillion yen ($17 billion), marking the 64th straight month of black ink,

Who said trade wars hurt ?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

MSR Japan,

The J-government did about 3 or 4 days ago when they blamed the dip in domestic spending on the ongoing trade spat between the US and China.Everyone else is to blame but them,of course.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

RWC.  Lower oil prices.

Olympics next.

all good news, for now.  Just domestic economy on a go slow.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

reflecting cheaper crude oil prices as well as slowing demand for oil and liquefied natural gas, 

Wait, its been relatively warm so far, when the temps drop demand will rise!

Time for a pay rise!

Its been rising for over 5 years now and pay raises were lower than tax increases so I would recommend NOT holding your breath on this one

5 ( +5 / -0 )

re; article:

Japan's current account surplus rose 38.0 percent in October from a year earlier, as imports dropped faster than exports amid falling crude oil prices and the prolonged U.S.-China trade conflict, government data showed Monday.

Here's my question if there is a surplus, who profited from this? Is there a need for the 10% tax increase if there is surplus that was blamed to be a "red" due to US-China trade conflict" which was told and sold to the taxpayers by the Diet? hmmm. Something smells and it's not me but my wallet recessed instead of surplus as a result of the tax.

Why not roll it back or charge the corporate which includes mass media 2%. and public 8%. win win.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Please don't tell Mr. Trump!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Having a surplus is much better than being in the red like they were for years n years n years, and i get the fact that some here are not into trade and economics.

Exports are down but, importing less in monetary value than you export has always been a good thing as far as I can tell or...........

Only been involved in trade from Japan for about 25 years so what the hell would I know right ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

as imports dropped faster than exports?....

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Really promising news. Things are ticking along nicely for exporters and the economy in general!

The country's surplus in the current account came to 1.82 trillion yen ($17 billion), marking the 64th straight month of black ink,

To all the anti Japan and anti PM Abe posters. Show me any other nation that had 64 months of Surplus. Impossible!

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

Japan is on roll!. Look at the news:

1) Real wages adjusted for inflation, meanwhile, edged up for a second straight month in October,

2) Japan's current account surplus rises 38%

3) Revised GDP shows stronger growth in Japan

4) Toshiba develops way to accurately detect cancers from drop of blood

5) Murata shrinks key part for 5G phones Manufacturer trims mainstay capacitors to one-fifth current size

6) Japan to set up $450m fund to subsidize young scientists

This is Japan!. Abe Shinzo is the best.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

If imports fell more, doesn't mean it's an internal problem and people don't have as much exposible income because of the tax increase?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Expendable

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Surplus doesn't always mean a good news. The three main reasons are: slower demand for import, fall in export, and drop in incomes.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

You've got a surplus in Japan so for the love of God be happy and thankful. Say something nice about Abe today too. :)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If imports fell more, doesn't mean it's an internal problem....

No, mostly it means oil related imports were cheaper than a year ago.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

rgcivilian1

Here's my question if there is a surplus, who profited from this? 

It's a current account surplus which is a national measure, so it includes individuals, companies, the government, everything.

Is there a need for the 10% tax increase if there is surplus 

The current account is a different thing to government's tax revenues. Indeed taxes are already paid on the stuff included in the current account balance - for example the "primary income" from overseas dividends etc of 1.78 trillion yen, will have income taxes paid on it according to the tax rules.

Also to keep things in perspective, this overall current account balance surplus for October of 1.82 trillion yen (which is not tax revenue in the first place) compares with government spending on 100 trillion yen per year. So even if the government confiscated the entire value of the current account balance, it'd still likely be a goodly budget shortfall, given that government tax revenues are only around 65-70 trillion yen.

So there is a question of how to plug the 30 trillion yen budget deficit, but the current account surplus is not the thing that could be taxed more to actually fix the problem. One because it's already taxed, and two because it's too small even it the government confiscated it entirely.

My idea is, given that the country's people and businesses are enjoying a surplus, the government should stop spending so much money and let those with the surplus pay for stuff that they want by themselves. Eliminate that 30 trillion yen budget deficit that way. This is actually quite a drastic change, and has zero chance of happening in Japan though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

alwaysspeakingwisdomDec. 9  09:18 pm JST

none of those have anything to do with Abe. Only China and north Korea laud their dear leaders for what the people have achieved.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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