Japan’s economic condition worsened more than anticipated over the last quarter, highlighting the need for the Japanese government to set up a stimulus project to boost the economy from the COVID-19 inflicted woes.
In the second quarter, the country’s GDP decreased by an annual 3% from the first quarter. It is also predicted by Monday Economists that there will be a further reduction of 0.7%.
Japan’s economy can be said to have dropped five times over the previous eight quarters. As COVID-19 ravaged the country in the summer, consumption levels plunged. This led to the reinstallation and reinstatement of lockdown and restrictions. The supply chain was also affected as manufacturers were left shorthanded on necessary components for manufacturing.
Japanese Government Considers Setting up a Stimulus Package
The whole situation presents a cause for concern for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, whose immediate alternative is to prop up the economy with a stimulus project.
While the Stimulus project is seen as a short-term economy booster, the Government also wants to work on a medium to long-term growth measure while ensuring that income is distributed fairly among citizens.
According to reports from Nikkei newspapers, the capacity of the stimulus project will be more than 40 trillion yen in monetary measures, with 100,000 yen worth going to under-18-year-olds and below. Caregivers should also expect a raise while firms will have extended tax breaks for raising workers’ wages. Domestic travel will be subsidized again.
Japan’ Economy Recovers at a Slow Rate
There is an ongoing economic recovery, though, at a very slow pace in comparison with other major countries. This may be because it was one of the least affected at the peak of the pandemic. However, after an initial rebound, there has been very little progress made, even as more demands are yet to surface in other economies. Japan will likely maintain its status as the slowest expanding country among the G7 nations in 2022 as predicted by the International Monetary Fund.
Economists, however, are optimistic that the country’s GDP will be significantly boosted by the potential stimulus project and the rounds of vaccines being administered.
The Prime Minister is expected to announce the details of the stimulus package later this week as he seeks support in the upcoming elections.
The short-term plan of the stimulus project and the long-term plan by the Japanese government are set to boost the economy a step higher, and we can also expect the yen to respond with an upward movement as its demand increases.
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