Japan’s Motegi: Expect domestic demand-led recovery to continue

Japanese Economy Minister Motegi was on the wires last hour, via Reuters, providing his afterthoughts on the country’s Q4 GDP release.

Main Headlines:

Economy is in gradual recovery.

Expect domestic demand-led recovery to continue.

GDP growth shows is led by private demand increase. 

Need to watch global economic uncertainty, fluctuations in financial markets.

To raise growth potential to sustain economic recovery ahead of planned sales tax hike in October.

Want to closely monitor effects of trade issue on global economy.

China-bound exports of goods such as information materials weakened in Q4.

Want to closely monitor developments of US-China trade friction, Brexit.