Japan Economy Shrinks for Three Quarters

[Syrinx]

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's economy contracted in the October-December
quarter, and revised figures released Wednesday showed that it was the
third straight quarter of decline, as an export boom dwindled and
consumer spending dropped.

The numbers from the Cabinet Office showed the worst reading for
Japan's gross domestic product -- or the value of goods and services
produced in a nation -- since the world's second largest economy
recorded four straight quarters of contraction from April 2001 through
March 2002.

But government officials and some analysts said the economy wasn't in
as bad a shape as the numbers seemed to indicate.

During the quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2004, Japan's economy shrank
0.1 percent from the previous quarter -- or an annualized rate of 0. 5
percent -- following a 0.2 percent contraction in the April-June
quarter and a 0.3 percent contraction in the July-September period,
the latest figures showed.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Japan-Economy.html

[The Sheik]

1. Uh-oh, time for a new Pokemon.

[belab13]

2. too funny... Japanese need to find a replacement for the US Market

and find it before Europe or China does... hardy har har

Dark Ages Revisited.

[pdurod1]

3. The Grudge = US Dollar

[UL_Approved]

4. The "Jobless Recovery" is just bunk

Things like this are the solid and subtle indicators for those who pay attention that the U.S. has been in a decline for four years. We have what is referred to as "lever pulling" going on now. When the dollar runs out of tricks and magic, we will be in a depression.

The indicators all show that there is no recovery at all. The Bush followers will be out on the street, just like everybody else.

[idlisambar]

5. The figures have a political purpose

Just as the U.S. uses its GDP figures partly to attract foreign investment in the face of massive trade deficits, Japan uses its figures to scare away foreign investors thus keeping its currency undervalued and to reduce political pressure from its trading partners in the face of large trade surpluses. The calculation of GDP/inflation is an art not a science, and subtle but significant differences in measurement conventions can lead to much different results.

[Syrinx]

6. that's interesting (I think)

Economics was my very worst subject in college. It made my head hurt.