Japan's spending woes persist as retail sales fall at fastest pace in 17 years
BOJ expected to hold off on expanding stimulus at Thursday's monetary policy review
Tokyo
JAPANESE retail sales in March declined at their fastest annual pace in 17 years as consumer spending struggled to pick up a year after a sales-tax increase, keeping alive speculation the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will expand stimulus again later this year.
Retail sales slid 9.7 per cent in March from the same month last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Tuesday.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
World extends run of heat records for 11th straight month
SpaceX’s unit Starlink secures Indonesia operating permit
Axiata, Sinar Mas seek permission for Indonesia telco merger, minister says
Taiwan exports to US jump by record as China shipments fall
Thai PM says cannabis to be re-listed as narcotic by end of 2024
US eyes curbs on China’s access to AI software behind apps like ChatGPT