Latest data released by METI - 22 March 2018
- Prior +0.5%; revised to +0.6%
The data is often referred to as the monthly GDP reading, it's a tracker production across all sectors of the Japanese economy and follows the GDP growth figures/trend.
Quite a major dip in the figure. It's not a major data point, but you have to wonder if the recent strength in the yen is starting to impact the growth in the economy.
Going into the report, manufacturing was the biggest drag with a -6.8% reading but the heavier weightage tertiary industry also declined by 0.6% on the month.
But on a year-on-year basis, the index posted a +1.8% reading - so it's still not all bad news.
