Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
clear sky
weather
OMAN
25°C / 25°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Exports prop up Japan fourth quarter GDP growth

926106
926106
minus
plus

TOKYO: Japan’s economy grew for a fourth straight quarter in the final three months of last year as a weaker yen supported exports, but tepid private consumption and the risks of rising US protectionism cast doubts over a sustainable recovery.


Data on Monday showed the world’s third-largest economy grew an annualised 1 per cent in October-December, roughly in line with the 1.1 per cent increase markets had expected, following a revised 1.4 per cent expansion in July-September.


Japan’s export-driven growth over the quarter has helped fill the economic shortfall left by anaemic domestic demand, but accompanying this tailwind are concerns Japan’s persistent trade surplus with the US may make it a target of US President Donald Trump’s criticism.


During a weekend meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump held off from his previous rhetoric against Japan for using its monetary stimulus to weaken the yen and gain an unfair trade advantage. But analysts doubt a honeymoon would last long. — Reuters


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon