- Sayuri Shirai, Keio University
The Japanese economy expanded at a stronger than initially reported pace in the last quarter of 2016, due to upward revisions in business spending and business investment. The Cabinet Office reported on Wednesday the economy grew at an annualized pace of 1.2% in the Q4 of 2016, up from the preliminary reading of 1.0%. However, the figure missed analysts' expectations, who anticipated growth at 1.6%. On a quarterly basis, Japan's GDP climbed 0.3%, above the 0.2% preliminary reading, yet below consensus estimates of a 0.4% rise. Fresh data confirmed the presence of serious challenges, faced by Japan's policymakers. Even though the Japanese economy reported growth for four consecutive quarters, marking the longest stretch in three years, business investment and consumption remained subdued. The Bank of Japan's former board member Sayuri Shirai said that the corporate sector was "very cautious of making an investment" amid uncertainties in both global and local economy. Shirai served at the BoJ's Policy Board from April 2011 to March 2016 and supported the QQE programme in 2013 and 2014. However, back in January 2016, she voted against negative interest rates. Data showed capital expenditure advanced 2.0% quarter-over-quarter in the Q4, surpassing expectations for a 1.7% climb and following the preliminary figure of 0.9%.
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