Core Viewpoint - The actual GDP growth for Q2 2025 is 5.2%, showing recovery from the previous year's lower growth rates, while nominal GDP growth remains a concern at 3.9% [1][7][9]. Economic Structure and Growth Drivers - The actual growth is supported by broad-based increases in various sectors: manufacturing investment grew by 17.3%, durable goods consumption saw a 30.7% increase in retail sales of major appliances, and service consumption rose by 5.3% [1][9]. - Exports also contributed positively, with a year-on-year increase of 5.9% in the first half of the year [1][9]. Industrial Capacity Utilization - The industrial capacity utilization rate for Q2 is 74.0%, slightly down from 74.1% in Q1 and 76.2% in the previous year, indicating a slowdown but with a deceleration in the rate of decline [2][10]. - Specific sectors like coal, food and beverage, chemicals, and automotive are experiencing lower utilization rates, while electrical machinery shows signs of improvement [2][10]. June Economic Indicators - In June, industrial value-added growth reached 6.8%, the highest in three months, driven by factors such as tariff adjustments and increased production in emerging sectors like industrial robots and integrated circuits [3][13]. - Retail sales growth in June fell to 4.8%, the lowest in four months, with significant declines in sectors like dining and beverages, while automotive sales showed resilience with a 4.6% increase [4][14]. Investment Trends - Fixed asset investment growth slowed to 2.8% year-on-year, with manufacturing investment particularly affected, possibly due to high prior usage of equipment renewal funds [5][15]. - Real estate sales and investment continued to decelerate, indicating a need for new policies to stabilize the market after a period of demand release [5][16][17]. Summary of Economic Performance - The first half of the year saw an actual growth of 5.3%, laying a solid foundation for achieving around 5% growth for the year [6][19]. - Key concerns include nominal GDP, industrial capacity utilization, and the ongoing decline in retail and real estate sectors, highlighting the need for effective policy signals to support investment and consumption [6][19].

Group 1 - The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan has introduced a new campaign platform aiming to increase the average annual salary by 1 million yen by the fiscal year 2030, with a target of 520 million yen from the current 420 million yen [1] - The party plans to achieve this by ensuring a 1% annual increase in real wages and a 3% annual increase in nominal wages [1] Group 2 - The government is facing public dissatisfaction due to ongoing inflation and the economic risks posed by tariffs, leading to a commitment to distribute cash subsidies to low-income individuals and families [2] - Each low-income individual and child will receive 40,000 yen, while the rest of the population will receive 20,000 yen as a temporary measure until wages increase [2] - Prime Minister Kishida's recent support has slightly risen, partly due to progress made in controlling rice prices, which have become a significant indicator of inflation's impact on household spending [2] - The government previously set a goal to achieve a nominal GDP of 1,000 trillion yen by around 2040, with the nominal GDP reaching a record 609 trillion yen in 2024 [2]

Core Points - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has pledged to increase national salary levels and aims for the economy to reach a total of $6.9 trillion by 2040 [1] - The commitment includes a target for nominal GDP to reach 1,000 trillion yen and an increase of average wages by 50% or more from current levels [1] - This announcement comes as Japanese voters prepare to evaluate Ishiba's performance as Prime Minister, following a significant defeat in the previous election [1]