Macroeconomic indicators of Japan
TANKAN
It is a quarterly economic report published by the Department of Research and Statistics of the Bank of Japan. It is based on assessments of more than 8000 companies, firms and institutions by the following economic parameters: 1) business environment, 2) production and marketing, 3) supply and demand, price level, 4) income, 5) direct investments, 6) employment 7) taxes. Tankan is the most important indicator of Japan. Published quarterly at 7:50 AM (summer) / 06:50 AM (winter) (EST)
Balance of payments
It represents the ratio between the amount of payments received from abroad and the amount of payments going abroad. In other words, it shows the total foreign trade operations, trade balance, and balance between export and import, transfer payments. If coming payment exceeds payments to other countries and international organizations the balance of payments is positive. The surplus is a favorable factor for growth of the national currency. It has a limited impact on the market. Published monthly at 7:30 AM (summer) / 06:30 AM (winter) (EST).
Balance of trade
It represents the difference between exports and imports. The indicator is published monthly. It has a low impact on the market. Published monthly at 7:30 AM (summer) / 06:30 AM (winter) (EST).
Industrial production index
Industrial output of the country and its changes. It is composed of mining and manufacturing industry volumes, the forest and public sectors as well as the production of electricity are also taken into consideration. The indicator reflects the level of the economy, but does not determine the direction of its development. An increase in value of this indicator leads to the growth of the national currency rate. Published monthly at 7:50 AM (summer) / 06:50 AM (winter) (EST).
Gross domestic product (GDP)
It is the main indicator that reflects the state of the national economy. According to the Keynesian model of economic development, GDP can be represented as the following: GDP = C + I + S + (E - M), where C - consumption, I - investment, S - public expenditure, E - Exports, M - imports. GDP is expressed as an index against the previous period, and in terms of absolute value of sum of the prices of manufactured goods and services. GDP represents the sum of volumes of consumption, investment, government spending, exports and net imports. GDP growth leads to an increase in the national currency. The bond market depends on GDP but security prices vary slightly due to the predictability of GDP based on monthly statistics of its constituents.
GDP is the main indicator reflecting the state of the national economy. It has a significant impact on the market. The index value is quite volatile from quarter to quarter cause of which is greater fluctuations in net exports and inventories. Therefore, economists consider the value of sales volume of the end product excluding inventories that represent unsold product, and their growth can greatly increase the value of GDP.
Unemployment rate
The unemployment rate is the percent of able-bodied population who actively look for a job but cannot find it. Published monthly at 7:30 AM (summer) / 06:30 AM (winter) (EST).
Consumer price index (CPI)
Indicator showing the change of value of the consumer basket of goods and services. It is calculated using average items chosen by residents. The index has a greater impact on the calculation of the cost of living of citizens and is also an inflation indicator. According to the index rising interest rates begin to rise. Published monthly at 7:30 AM (summer) / 06:30 AM (winter) (EST).
Corporate Goods Price Index
It reflects changes in the price level of large shipments. It is calculated as a weighted average of three components: domestic wholesale prices, wholesale prices for export goods and wholesale prices for import goods. Published monthly at 07:50 AM (summer) / 06:50 AM (winter) EST.
Leading and coincident indices
The indicator is a weighted average of 13 main indicators. It is used to determine the future of the economy. It is composed of 11 indicators and also used to assess the current status of the economy. Published monthly at 01:00 AM (summer) / 00:00 AM (winter) (EST).
Retail sales
Changes in retail sales volume, which are determined by consumer demand. In index values the sales of all kinds of goods are taken into account. The most volatile estimate is the sales of automobiles, therefore the most reliable data is calculated without this aspect. The increase in retail sales has an impact on the growth of the national currency rate and on the country's economy as a whole. Published monthly at 7:50 AM (summer) / 06:50 AM (winter) (EST).
