新刺激计划或将日本拖入困局

Economic Overview - Japan's economy is showing signs of recession, with a 1.8% year-on-year decline in real GDP for Q3 2025, marking the first negative growth in six quarters [1] - Exports to the US fell by 3.1% year-on-year in October, continuing a seven-month decline, while external demand's contribution to economic growth shifted from positive to negative [1] Domestic Demand and Consumer Behavior - Personal consumption, which accounts for over half of Japan's economy, saw a slight increase of 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, but high prices are burdening consumers and suppressing purchasing power [1] - Business investment in equipment rose by 1.0% quarter-on-quarter, but orders for civil machinery (excluding ships and power) fell by 2.1%, marking the first negative growth in four quarters [1] Government Policy and Economic Stimulus - The new Prime Minister, Sanna Takashi, is adopting a fiscal stimulus approach within the framework of "Abenomics," emphasizing expansionary fiscal policy over monetary policy [2] - A comprehensive economic policy package worth 21.3 trillion yen was approved, the largest since the pandemic, aimed at addressing public dissatisfaction with rising prices [3] Inflation and Cost of Living - The consumer price index (CPI) excluding fresh food rose by 3.0% year-on-year in October, continuing a 50-month streak of increases and remaining above the Bank of Japan's 2% target for 43 months [3] Strategic Investments - The government allocated 7.2 trillion yen for "crisis management and growth-type investment" in key sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and defense, highlighting a focus on economic security [3] Market Reactions and Concerns - The market reacted negatively to the government's economic policies, leading to a sell-off in the bond market and a rise in bond yields, with the 10-year Japanese government bond yield reaching 1.846%, the highest since the 2008 financial crisis [4] - The yen fell to 157.9, nearing intervention levels, and the Nikkei 225 index dropped below 49,000 points [4] Fiscal Sustainability and Debt Concerns - Japan's government debt exceeds 250% of GDP, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability, with former finance minister Kato stating the fiscal situation is at its worst level [4] Structural Economic Issues - Japan faces long-term structural issues, including an aging population, labor shortages, and declining productivity, which weaken economic growth potential [7] - The current stimulus plan is seen as an initial step, with broader growth strategies still needed to address deeper economic challenges [7]