logo
Japan's households boost spending by most since summer of 2022

Japan's households boost spending by most since summer of 2022

Japan Times16 hours ago
Household spending rose the most since the summer of 2022 amid persistent inflation, providing support for an economy that's taking a hit from U.S. tariffs.
Outlays by households, adjusted for inflation, gained 4.7% from a year ago in May as spending on cars jumped, the internal affairs ministry reported Friday. The result beat the median economist estimate of a 1.2% gain.
The jump in cars this year helped inflate the overall number but was largely due to comparison with low volumes last year resulting from a safety certification scandal, according to an internal affairs ministry official. Still, spending also grew for tourism both within and outside Japan while people also increased outlays on eating out.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan eyes 'golden share' as condition for aid to Rapidus
Japan eyes 'golden share' as condition for aid to Rapidus

Japan Times

time5 hours ago

  • Japan Times

Japan eyes 'golden share' as condition for aid to Rapidus

The industry ministry on Friday announced a plan for the government to hold a veto-wielding "golden share" in exchange for financial aid to companies such as Rapidus, which aims to realize domestic production of next-generation semiconductors. Golden shares in the companies will be held by the Information-Technology Promotion Agency, an independent administrative agency under the industry ministry. Parameters of the golden shares will be drawn up by companies and then screened by the ministry. Companies capable of producing semiconductors with a circuit line width of up to 2 nanometers in the country by the late 2020s will be eligible for government aid. In addition to granting the government a golden share and some voting rights, companies that receive government aid will also be required to raise funds from the private sector as much as possible. The government has already decided to provide more than ¥1.7 trillion to Rapidus. It plans to sell Rapidus shares received in exchange for the aid at an appropriate time, based on the company's stock price and management situation. It will also provide debt guarantees, which will be only partial to prevent the company from becoming too dependent on government support. The ministry will begin accepting applications for some ¥100 billion in aid around this summer or autumn.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store