Although it has flat-lined for two decades, Japan remains one of the world's largest economies. A new prime minister wants to boost growth by promoting consumer spending and a major expansion in public works
Outlook stable
The move reflects the government’s reduced flexibility to provide financial assistance; insurance company ratings unchanged
Post-tsunami reconstruction will create some investment opportunities while the expensive yen hampers economic expansion
The virus of potential insolvency has now also infected Japan, once the world’s most solid debt issuer after the U.S. Treasury
With a strong yen challenging exporters’ profits, Japan can expect modest growth over the next year. But fund managers have found a few bright spots
Japan bounces back from downturn with a strong third quarter, while new government charts course
Calls for the U.S. government to implement spending that extends into the medium-term
Corporate earnings will probably fall in the short term, but Japan’s fortunes may be changing