Japan’s Q3 GDP contracts more than expected as sticky inflation weighs.

The Japanese economy contracted beyond expectations in the third quarter, impacted by persistent inflation and a weakened yen that hampered private spending. Additionally, demand in the nation’s major export markets deteriorated.

Preliminary data from the Cabinet Office on Wednesday revealed a 0.5% contraction in gross domestic product (GDP) for the three months ending September 30 compared to the previous quarter. This figure fell below the anticipated 0.1% contraction and marked a significant slowdown from the 1.1% growth observed in the preceding quarter.

On a year-on-year basis, the Japanese economy contracted by 2.1%, surpassing the anticipated decline of 0.6% and marking a significant turnaround from the 4.5% growth in the previous quarter.

This marks Japan’s initial GDP contraction in three quarters, indicating a potential slowdown in the consumption-driven growth that the Japanese economy had experienced earlier this year after a robust performance.

The data from Wednesday primarily reflects a significant decline in private demand, with household spending, retail consumption, and private investment experiencing a slowdown. This deceleration can be attributed to relatively high inflation and a weakening yen.

Private consumption, constituting over half of Japan’s economy, declined by 0.2% in the quarter.

Japanese consumer inflation has stayed above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target for almost two years due to elevated import costs, persistent labour shortages, and relatively higher wages.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) predicted increased inflation in its recent meeting. However, considering the substantial deceleration in Japanese economic growth, the feasibility of an exit from the central bank’s ultra-dovish, stimulus-heavy policy is now uncertain.

Persistent inflation is anticipated to prompt the bank to gradually withdraw its extremely accommodative position. However, Governor Kazuo Ueda has emphasized the necessity of maintaining loose monetary policy until the economy exhibits sufficient strength to stimulate substantial wage growth and drive inflation higher.

Government spending stayed subdued throughout the quarter, and the economy faced additional pressure from a growing trade deficit. The slowdown in Japanese exports and the steadiness in imports contributed to this impact.

The weaker economic conditions in Japan’s major export markets, notably China, had a ripple effect on the country, primarily impacting export-oriented industries like automobile and electronics manufacturing. Anticipated ongoing weakness in China is also likely to restrain export conditions in the upcoming months.

Japan’s substantial reliance on food and fuel imports has hindered economic growth in recent years, particularly with increasing geopolitical disruptions leading to a rise in import prices.