Japan's Economic Growth Slows Amid Consumer Spending Decline

Japan's economic growth forecast has been lowered to 2.2% for the last quarter due to reduced consumer spending and private demand. Exports and wage growth have shown some positivity, while concerns grow over potential U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports, complicating the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy.

Japan's government has revised its economic growth forecast for the year's last quarter down from 2.8% to a 2.2% annual pace, according to the Cabinet Office. A significant factor in this reduction is the decline in consumer spending which impacted demand. Furthermore, higher private inventories contributed to this downward revision.

The Japanese economy continues its moderate recovery, marking the third consecutive quarter of growth, with seasonally adjusted real GDP increasing by 0.6%. Private demand shrank by 0.3%, a downgrade from the previously estimated 0.1% contraction, while export growth was adjusted to 1.0%.

This slower pace of growth presents challenges for the Bank of Japan's policy-making, amid expectations for a possible interest rate hike. Meanwhile, concerns loom over the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on Japanese exports, as Trade Minister Yoji Muto engages with U.S. officials to mitigate such risks.

(With inputs from agencies.)