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Japan retail sales jump the most since 2014, outlook murky
Japanese retail sales grew the most in 5-1/2 years in September, boosted by consumers accelerating spending to beat a national sales tax hike that kicked in this month, raising some concerns about a subsequent pullback in demand in the coming months. Japan implemented sales tax hike to 10% from 8% on Oct. 1, in a move seen as crucial for fixing the industrial world’s heaviest public debt at more than twice the size of its economy. But some analysts worry the twice-delayed tax hike could tip the economy into recession. Retail sales jumped 9.1% in September from a year before, boosted by increased demand for cars, ... (full story)