Japan Watch

• Flash Japan Manufacturing PMI™ at 51.9 in December (51.3 in November), signalling the greatest improvement in manufacturing conditions since January.
• Flash Japan Manufacturing Output Index at 53.1 (52.4 in November). Solid production growth.

Latest survey data pointed to a further improvement in the Japanese manufacturing sector. Output and new orders both increased at sharper rates, with new work inflows rising at the quickest pace since January. As a result, goods producers were more optimistic towards taking on additional workers, with the rate of job creation picking up to a 32-month high. Manufacturers also increased their input buying at the quickest rate in ten months. However, cost inflationary pressures accelerated to a 13-month peak, with reports of steep rises in raw material costs driving up input prices.

Operating conditions at Japanese manufacturers improved further mid-way through the final quarter of 2016. Production increased at a slightly slower pace, albeit one that remained stronger than the long-run series average. This was driven by new order growth, which picked up to a ten-month high. Consequently, buying activity picked up slightly. In contrast, employment growth eased to the weakest in three months. Meanwhile, on the price front, input prices and charges remained broadly unchanged from October.

The headline PMI posted at 51.3 in November, little-changed from October’s 51.4 (the highest reading since January), thereby signalling a solid improvement in manufacturing conditions in Japan. Furthermore, the latest reading was higher than the long-run series average.

Production at Japanese manufacturers rose for the fourth month running during November. Although slowing from October’s ten-month record, the rate of expansion was quicker than the average observed this year so far. According to anecdotal evidence, the opening of new business facilities, new product launches and a rise in international demand helped to boost output. At the sector level, both intermediate and investment goods producers noted production growth.

Total new orders also increased in November. In fact, the rate of expansion was the most marked since January. Similar to production, panellists mentioned greater demand resulting from new product launches as well as improved advertising as factors behind the rise in incoming sales.

Greater foreign demand also contributed to the expansion in total sales, with new export orders increasing for the third successive month. The rate of growth eased, but was nevertheless stronger than the historical average. Firms mentioned the securing of trade partners and greater sales to Taiwan.

Reflecting improved conditions, manufacturers increased their buying activity in November. However, the rate of expansion was only slight overall.

Finally, input prices broadly stabilised, following a ten month sequence of decline. Selling prices also remained broadly unchanged from October.