‘Japan has not overcome deflation’, finance minister warns

Good morning. We begin with an interview with Japan’s finance minister, who warned that the nation has not but conquered deflation. Additionally in right this moment’s e-newsletter:

• A shocking safety breach within the US

• The brand new nuclear arms race

• Why Singapore’s luxurious automotive gross sales have nosedived

Japan has not but crushed deflation regardless of years of persistently rising client costs and the most important spherical of annual wage will increase in three a long time, the nation’s finance minister has warned.

Katsunobu Kato’s blunt evaluation in an interview with the FT comes 15 months into the Financial institution of Japan’s efforts to “normalise” the economic system and regularly reintroduce optimistic rates of interest, after a quarter-century-long battle to steer the nation away from falling costs.

Kato acknowledged that Japan was experiencing rising costs and that different developments appeared optimistic, however stated the federal government might solely declare victory over deflation when it noticed no prospect of sliding again.

“I consider we have to choose rigorously whether or not Japan has damaged away from deflation by not solely wanting on the client costs, however underlying costs and background in a complete style . . . It’s our judgment at current that Japan has not overcome deflation,” Kato stated.

The minister’s feedback echo some economists’ fears that, whereas costs are rising, they largely signify the “incorrect” kind of inflation: pushed by a weak yen and excessive commodity prices fairly than a virtuous cycle of rising wages and client demand. Read the full interview.

Right here’s what else we’re retaining tabs on right this moment:

• Financial information: Japan reviews February gross sales at division retailer and Taiwan publishes industrial output for the month.

• Boao Discussion board for Asia: The annual convention, dubbed the “Asian Davos”, opens on China’s southern island of Hainan.

• HSBC World Funding Summit: The 2-day occasion, hosted by the financial institution’s chair Mark Tucker, begins in Hong Kong.

• Australia price range announcement: Treasurer Jim Chalmers presents the annual federal fiscal assertion to parliament.

5 extra high tales

1. Prime US officers unintentionally shared labeled particulars about final week’s navy strikes on Yemen with a journalist in an unofficial messaging group, in a stunning breach of security that triggered uproar in Washington. The vice-president and defence secretary had been among the many members of a Sign chat group that mentioned operational particulars of the assault.

2. China is contemplating together with providers in a multibillion-dollar subsidy programme to stimulate consumption, based on officers and teachers. The potential help for journey, tourism and sports activities would come along with an present “trade-in” programme for items similar to cellphones or vehicles. Here’s more on Beijing’s efforts to boost weak domestic demand.

3. Israel’s navy has drawn up plans to reoccupy Gaza in a bid to lastly defeat Hamas. The brand new navy management, with the unofficial backing of Israeli far-right ministers, has formulated an excessive proposal to fight the militant group, stated a number of folks briefed on the plans.

4. BYD’s annual gross sales have topped $100bn for the primary time, as China’s electrical automobile champion dominates its home market and presses forward with abroad enlargement. Not like its US rival Tesla, which solely sells absolutely electrical automobiles and reported income of $98bn final yr, BYD has benefited from resurgent demand in China for hybrids. The results cap a remarkable 12 months for the Chinese group.

5. Indonesia has named investor Ray Dalio and economist Jeffrey Sachs as advisers to its new sovereign wealth fund Danantara. The appointments come amid growing investor concerns over governance at the fund, which is predicted to handle state belongings price about $900bn. 

Information in-depth

Donald Trump’s pivot to Moscow and scathing disregard for Nato has prompted previous allies — from Berlin and Warsaw to Seoul and Tokyo — to confront what was as soon as unthinkable: tips on how to put together for a withdrawal of their US nuclear shield.

We’re additionally studying . . . 

• Weight-loss medication: Ozempic and Wegovy might imply huge beneficial properties for drugmakers however they might additionally upend the insurance sector, writes Patrick Jenkins.

• AI chips: Malaysia is coming underneath US stress to stem the illicit flow of high-end chips from California-based Nvidia to China, the nation’s commerce minister informed the FT.

• US exceptionalism: Its finish has long predated Trump, and can proceed to play out for a very long time, writes Ruchir Sharma.

Chart of the day

Luxurious automotive gross sales in Singapore have plummeted as buyers shun displays of wealth after the federal government raised taxes on the automobiles and stepped up due diligence checks in response to a $2bn money-laundering scandal.

Take a break from the information . . . 

The upheaval of Covid lockdowns prompted a rethink not simply of the place we work however when and why. FT writers and contributors assess what is different five years on.