21评论丨日本经济不确定性风险或将加剧

Core Viewpoint - Japan's ruling coalition faced a historic defeat in the recent House of Councillors election, marking the first time since the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) establishment in 1955 that it lost a majority in both houses, leading to increased political fragmentation and uncertainty in the economy [1][2] Economic Impact - Rising inflation and the introduction of foreign immigrants have led to public discontent against the LDP, exacerbated by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has caused a reversal of Japan's long-standing deflation and uncontrolled rice prices [1][2] - The Bank of Japan's benchmark interest rate remains at 0.5%, contributing to yen depreciation and import-driven inflation, while the influx of foreign tourists and investors has intensified local resentment towards foreigners [1][2] Political Dynamics - The political landscape is shifting towards the right, with younger voters supporting right-wing parties advocating for "Japan First" policies, which include rejecting immigration and proposing tax cuts and subsidies to alleviate living costs [1][3] - Prime Minister Kishida's weakened political foundation may hinder substantial concessions in U.S.-Japan trade negotiations, potentially leading to a stalemate in both the political arena and trade discussions [2][3] Fiscal Challenges - The call for tax reductions, particularly on consumption tax, is gaining traction, with 52% of the public supporting such measures, despite concerns that this could worsen Japan's fiscal situation and lead to increased long-term interest rates [3][4] - Japan's national debt stands at 250% of GDP, the highest among developed nations, necessitating low interest rates to manage government interest costs while stimulating exports [2][3] Market Reactions - Political uncertainty is expected to negatively impact yen-denominated assets, potentially driving international capital away from the Japanese bond market, which could trigger broader risks in U.S.-Japan capital markets [4]