日本21万亿救市，“饮鸩止渴”？

Core Viewpoint - Japan's economy is facing significant challenges, including a return to negative growth due to external factors such as U.S. tariff policies impacting key industries like automotive, compounded by long-standing structural issues and short-term political risks [1][3][8]. Economic Growth and External Demand - In Q3, Japan's real GDP decreased by 1.8% on an annualized basis, marking a return to negative growth since Q1 2024, primarily driven by a sharp contraction in external demand, which contributed -0.2 percentage points to economic growth [1]. - The U.S. increased tariffs on Japanese goods, particularly raising automotive tariffs from 2.5% to 15%, severely impacting Japan's automotive industry and creating a vicious cycle of order declines and economic recession [1][3]. Domestic Demand and Consumer Behavior - Domestic demand remains weak, with inflation and declining real wages leading to reduced consumer spending. Personal consumption, which accounts for over half of Japan's economy, saw a slight increase of 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, while private residential investment fell by 9.4% [3][8]. - The deterioration of Japan-China relations, exacerbated by controversial statements from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has led to travel warnings from China, potentially costing Japan between $11.5 billion to $14 billion in tourism revenue, further dragging down GDP growth by 0.29 to 0.36 percentage points [3][5]. Government Response and Economic Stimulus - In response to the economic crisis, the Kishida government approved a ¥21.3 trillion (approximately $135.4 billion) economic stimulus plan aimed at addressing rising prices and boosting investment in sectors like semiconductors and AI. However, this plan relies heavily on fiscal expansion and monetary easing without addressing structural economic reforms [5][7]. - The government's debt, which stands at about 263% of GDP, raises concerns about the sustainability of increased spending, potentially leading to higher long-term interest rates and further pressure on government finances [7][8]. Structural Issues and Long-term Outlook - Japan's economy is hindered by deep-rooted structural issues, including an aging population (29% aged 65 and older), declining labor force, and reduced competitiveness in key industries like automotive, which has lagged in the transition to electric vehicles [8]. - The reliance on external markets exposes Japan's economy to risks, as evidenced by the impact of U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Analysts suggest that Japan's economy may continue to fluctuate around the growth line without effective reforms, and the current fiscal stimulus may only provide temporary relief without addressing fundamental issues [8].