Japan’s economy contracted sharply in the first quarter, according to preliminary government data released on Friday. The data revealed that Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.2% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to March, a larger drop than expected by economists polled by Reuters.
Key Findings
- The actual contraction was more pronounced than the 0.1% decline forecast by economists.
- On an annualized basis, Japan’s GDP contracted 0.7% in the first quarter, exceeding the 0.2% fall predicted by Reuters poll respondents.
Factors Influencing Economic Growth
The Bank of Japan had previously warned that economic growth would moderate due to:
- Negative demand shocks from global trade policies.
- U.S.-imposed tariffs exerting downward pressure on both economic activity and prices in Japan.
In recent statements, central bank officials have expressed concerns about these external factors posing significant challenges for Japan’s economy.
Future Monitoring
Economists will closely monitor future data releases to assess whether these predictions come true and what impact they may have on policy decisions moving forward.
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