Information Releases

Apr. 2019

Economic Trends Research, April 2019

Manufacturing industry’s downturn continues mainly in machinery-related businesses
— Domestic economy has worsened for four months in a row —

Overview of March 2019: Signs of entering a recession phase

The economic diffusion index (DI) in April 2019 was 46.8, down 0.1 point from the previous month, and worsened for the fifth consecutive month. Cost increases against the backdrop of the long holidays, etc., and construction-related stagnation have affected the domestic economy, and signs of entering a recession continue to be seen.

Future outlook: Uncertainty has intensified

The future domestic economy expects a slowdown in capital investment and exports, and sluggish consumer spending due to a consumption tax hike, and uncertainty has further intensified.

Primary points of survey results(summary)

1. 1 By industry : Construction stagnation and struggling to secure manpower due to the long holidays have become negative factors.
2. 2 By size : Although minor deterioration persists in all scale, business confidence has tended to polarize.
3. 3 By region : Five of the ten regions worsened, and the local economy continues to be weak.

Economic Trends Research, April 2019