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Japan Q3 GDP shrinks as high inflation, weakening yen bite

TOKYO - The Japanese economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter, preliminary data showed on Tuesday, as worsening inflation levels and further depreciation in the yen severely undercut economic growth in the country.

Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.3% in the three months to September 30, data from the Cabinet Office showed, ducking expectations for growth of 0.3% and falling well below the previous quarter’s reading of 1.1%.

On an annualized basis, Japanese GDP shrank 1.2%, missing expectations for growth of 1.1% and shrinking substantially from a 4.6% reading in the prior quarter.

The reading reflects the increasing pressure on the Japanese economy from rising inflation, with the core consumer price index hitting an eight-year high in September. This, coupled with a deep depreciation in the yen, has kept consumer spending- a major driver of the Japanese economy- largely subdued this year. ...continue reading

Source: ANNnewsCH

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Japan experienced widespread thunderstorms, strong winds and sudden downpours on October 14 as a cold front swept across the country, while the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that a tropical depression south of Japan could develop into Typhoon No. 30 within 24 hours, marking the first time in 13 years that the annual typhoon count has reached 30.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yana submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on the evening of October 14 over a controversy involving shuttle buses and other issues, prompting Takaichi to acknowledge her responsibility for appointing him and announce plans to name a successor on October 15.

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Japan is facing a growing wave of cyberattacks as advances in artificial intelligence remove the language barrier that once made Japanese companies difficult targets for overseas hackers, with more than 68 million personal records potentially exposed in a series of security incidents over the past two weeks.

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Japan's Nikkei stock average plunged more than 2,500 points at one stage during trading in Tokyo on October 15, as a sharp sell-off in semiconductor shares followed a surge in U.S. long-term interest rates and renewed concerns over the outlook for artificial intelligence investment.

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