Japan Plunges Back Into Recession - The Third In A Decade

[interestrateripoff]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/8522690/Japan-plunges-back-into-recession-the-third-in-a-decade.html

The economy shrank by a worse-than-expected 3.7pc year-on-year between January and March, marking the second consecutive quarter of contraction, which economists define as a technical recession.

In the aftermath of the disasters, output saw its biggest ever fall and spending plunged while consumer and business confidence took a tumble.

Consumers have held off spending on non-essentials such as entertainment and travel.

"The Japanese economy is expected to remain weak for the time-being," Economy Minister Kauro Yosano told reporters, adding that a third straight contraction in April-June was likely.

Many analysts have expected this as nationwide supply chain problems in the wake of the quake continue to disrupt production and the threat of power supply disruption prevails.

The 3rd in a decade, well the BoJ had better get printing, it's solved all of Japan's previous recessions.

[interestrateripoff]

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/japanese-economy-collapses-q1-gdp-drops-double-consensus-rate-epic-nominal-plunge-52

Confirming once again that Wall Street economist (and sell side in general) is the most useless profession in the world (though gladly accepting a 7 figures compensation), is the latest data out of Japan which is yet another stunner to most, as nobody, nobody, could have possible predicted that the Japanese economy would literally fall off a cliff in Q1, plunging at a 3.7% rate (down from -3% previously), which is double the consensus print of -1.9%. DOUBLE. And in nominal terms the collapse was simply epic: -5.2%! And yes, this is officially a recession.

The zerohedge view. Is the nominal figure correct in this?

[MrFlibble]

Say hello to the UK's future, but ours will be far worse due to the lack of savings.

Still not to worry, the magical printing press will solve all woes...

[Killer Bunny]

Like UK, Japan remains in Depression.

[Daft Boy]

Like UK, Japan remains in Depression.

but the UK is winning the race to the bottom. Must be the olympic spirit

[Riedquat]

At least there's a rational reason behind Japan's - it's suffering from dealing with the consequences of a major natural disaster, whereas nothing has happened in the UK that should affect anything, we're just victims of an entirely artificial system that we created then let it dominate us.

[SHERWICK]

At least there's a rational reason behind Japan's - it's suffering from dealing with the consequences of a major natural disaster, whereas nothing has happened in the UK that should affect anything

I beg to differ.

Something happened, and we too are now dealing with the consequences of that major disaster...

Edited May 19, 2011 by SHERWICK

[interestrateripoff]

At least there's a rational reason behind Japan's - it's suffering from dealing with the consequences of a major natural disaster, whereas nothing has happened in the UK that should affect anything, we're just victims of an entirely artificial system that we created then let it dominate us.

20 years of ignoring it's banking collapse and then a major earthquake/tsunami?

[Bearfaced-Chic]

My contrarian bone is itching and I think Japanese equities represent a fantastic buying opportunity. And yes I know people have been saying it for a number of years!