Japan Economics Update BoJ’s tightening cycle has much further to run The Bank of Japan accelerated its tightening cycle by lifting interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% today and we think it will tighten policy more rapidly than most anticipate over the coming... 18th September 2026 · 3 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Fiscal loosening need not spell trouble Japan's fiscal stance is turning more expansionary, but we think concerns about the public finances are overdone. The budget deficit is likely to remain contained, while both gross and net debt ratios... 18th September 2026 · 4 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Bank of Japan Meeting (Sep. 26) The Bank of Japan lifted interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% today and we think it will tighten policy more rapidly than most anticipate over the coming months. 18th September 2026 · 2 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan Consumer Prices (Aug. 26) Inflation was little changed in August but there are mounting signs that higher energy costs are feeding through and we expect it to rise above the BoJ’s 2% target before long 18th September 2026 · 2 mins read
India Economic Outlook Stage is set for RBI rate hikes After a very strong first half of the year, India’s economy is set to cool but annual GDP growth should still average 7% from 2026-2028, an enviable rate by global standards. Rising food prices on... 16th September 2026 · 17 mins read
Japan Rapid Response Japan External Trade (Aug. 26) Japan’s crude oil import volumes held up well in August but importers are still paying a premium to secure sufficient crude oil supplies outside of the Middle East. 16th September 2026 · 2 mins read
Asia Economics Focus China Shock 2.0 is good news for ASEAN China’s export surge is strengthening rather than hollowing out South East Asian manufacturing. Cheaper inputs and Chinese investment should continue to lift the region’s exports and industrial... 15th September 2026 · 15 mins read
Japan Economics Update Energy subsidies contributing to larger budget deficit We now expect the price of Brent crude oil to remain high throughout this year, which means that fiscal measures to cap retail energy prices will cost an additional 0.6% of GDP this year. And with the... 15th September 2026 · 3 mins read
China Rapid Response China Activity & Spending (Aug. 2026) August activity data showed a modest rebound in industrial output growth last month, driven by external demand and high-tech manufacturing. A smaller contraction in infrastructure investment suggests... 15th September 2026 · 3 mins read
India Rapid Response India Consumer Prices (August 2026) India’s headline consumer price inflation jumped to a 20-month high of 4.8% y/y in August and further rises are going to follow, with the renewed surge in oil prices a stark reminder that the risks... 14th September 2026 · 2 mins read
China Rapid Response China Bank Lending & Broad Credit (Aug.) Growth in broad credit slowed to a fresh record low, reflecting weaker growth in both bank and non-bank financing. Most concerning is the continued weakness in household credit demand, with household... 14th September 2026 · 3 mins read
Asia Rapid Response Indonesia replaces finance minister amid signs of policy reset Indonesia’s decision today to replace Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa with his deputy is a welcome development, although we need more evidence of improvements in policymaking before we are... 14th September 2026 · 2 mins read
China Economics Weekly Another rare earths crunch China's rare earth exports have been falling ever since Presidents Trump and Xi met in May, despite US suggestions that China had committed to keep shipments flowing. There has been no public pushback... 11th September 2026 · 5 mins read
Asia Economics Weekly Won’s rebound, CBC to hold fire, China Shock 2.0 The Korean won hit a two-year high this week, helped by profit repatriation by major tech firms and foreign investors scaling back their selling of Korean equities. We think it will make further gains... 11th September 2026 · 4 mins read
Japan Economics Weekly Stronger inflation points to further yen gains This week’s producer price and wage data show that inflationary pressure in Japan remains firm. That should set the stage for the Bank of Japan to pick up the pace of policy tightening. Meanwhile, the... 11th September 2026 · 5 mins read
