Japanese seek bargains as Abenomics loses shine

Tokyo

THREE years of so-called "Abenomics", Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's bold stimulus programme, has failed to dislodge a deflationary mindset among businesses and consumers.

As the world's third-largest economy falters again - with a stronger yen gnawing at overseas profits and domestic consumption sapping companies' confidence to invest or sufficiently raise wages - firms that increased their prices in the hope of a sustained recovery are rethinking their strategy.