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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Japan in recession
Published: November 17 2008 09:20 | Last updated: November 17 2008 19:08
Japan is not so different after all. After contracting 0.1 per cent in the third quarter, the world’s second biggest economy has now joined the eurozone in keiki koutai, or economic recession. That brings the country’s longest post-war expansion to a juddering halt. Consumers of all stripes are on strike. Household consumption rose 0.3 per cent on the quarter, but perhaps due only to boosts from TV sales during the Olympics and other one-offs. Capital investment fell 1.7 per cent, the third decline in a row, while overseas buyers bought fewer Japanese goods.
Better news lies outside the GDP numbers. Unemployment, at 4.1 per cent on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development projections, is comfortably below that of the eurozone and the US. But since corporate profits are diving and bankruptcies soaring, unemployment will inevitably rise, increasing the temptation to save rather than spend. Japan’s savers, already some of the world’s thriftiest, are squirreling away ever more money: term deposits have risen every month this year.
Unlocking that cash is the tricky part. As elsewhere, monetary and fiscal stimuli are the required tonic. Here Japan really can lay claim to being different. Policy lending rates of 0.3 per cent leave little room for monetary manoeuvre – although printing money is an option. Fiscal stimuli require two things Japan lacks: money and good ideas. It is the most indebted rich country and already committed to raising more than $250bn of fresh debt this year.
As for viable proposals, a storm of protest forced the government to partially backtrack on its $21bn handout plans. Thank goodness: chances are most of the rebates would have been stuffed in banks rather than spent. The pity is that, with consumers so fearful and the broad measure of deflation used in GDP calculations running at 1.6 per cent, protracted recession is just as likely in Japan as anywhere else. |
_________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:07 am Post subject: |
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Japan’s October bankruptcies rose 13.4% y/y and 1.5% m/m. _________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 8:22 am Post subject: |
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Watch 'em (not) go: the "hodo-hodo zuko" and the generational rejection of money.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122548483530388957.html
| Quote: | | "They'll ruin Japan with their lax work ethic," says labor consultant Yukiko Takita. "They're supposed to be leaders of the next generation." |
_________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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Bank of Japan cuts by 20 bps to 0.3%. First rate cut in seven years. Also introduces a temporary measure (similar to the Fed's) to allow the BoJ to pay interest on excess reserves. This will allow the BoJ to better control the policy rate while flooding the system with more liquidity:
http://www.boj.or.jp/en/type/release/adhoc/k081031.pdf |
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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As hard as it is to hold back the tide when your currency is being run-out it's that easy to trash when it's being run into. Just print, print and print. BOJ has made good profits running this but the big turn back in the '90s came with the japanese public. They may not want to invest in the US but they sure as heck will go on tour....and buy, buy, buy. Except for realestate. _________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:29 am Post subject: |
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Japan has embarked upon this sisyphean task in the past--themselves. No doubt they want, and we need, coordinated global intervention. It's a question of whether they have the leadership admist their flailing politics. "The Great British Krona" they are calling sterling on the Alphaville board.
The problem with forced selling is that it is forced to continue. 13years of carry-trade is hopefully NOT behind this selling.
The splash we have made is now washing back onto us, with amplified force and the most perverse consequences. Oct 31st. Mutual Fund year end--we may be going on holiday. _________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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diesel Moderator


Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 793 Location: Australia & New Zealand
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:29 am Post subject: |
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Jim Rogers has publicly said he is long the yen. There are no doubt others as well.
| HenryTo wrote: | | The other side of the trade is being forced to liquidate. They are not speculating. They have no choice. |
_________________ All cats are gray in the dark. |
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diesel Moderator


Joined: 05 Oct 2006 Posts: 793 Location: Australia & New Zealand
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:25 am Post subject: |
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Don't know about you but I don't have that level of confidence in Mr Masaaki Shirakwa.  _________________ All cats are gray in the dark. |
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:13 am Post subject: |
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| I agree - it needs to follow through and hit all the bids ASAP. The other side of the trade is being forced to liquidate. They are not speculating. They have no choice. The BoJ has to come in and take the other side, now. |
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rffrydr Moderator


Joined: 30 Oct 2005 Posts: 16445 Location: Sunny California
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Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:10 am Post subject: |
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It better come now.  _________________ Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday! |
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HenryTo Site Admin


Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 11260 Location: Los Angeles, California
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Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject: |
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One of the most significant developments over the last few weeks: Japan's Finance Minister telling investors/carry-traders that it will intervene in the currency markets to stem the rise of the Yen:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=an0s9tXTrWFY&refer=home
| Quote: | | Japan is ready to take action on currencies if needed, Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said after the Group of Seven said it was concerned about the recent excessive movements of the yen. |
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