TOKYO — Japan’s factory output fell more than expected while retail sales declined for the first time in over three years in August, government data showed, heightening uncertainties about the economic outlook.
Although Tokyo struck a trade deal with Washington, analysts said US tariffs could still affect Japan’s production and the global economy, which is keeping the Bank of Japan on edge in terms of when to next raise rates.
Industrial output fell 1.2 percent in August from a month earlier, data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) showed on Tuesday, exceeding a median market forecast for a 0.8 percent decline.
Manufacturers surveyed by the ministry expect seasonally adjusted output to grow 4.1 percent in September and rise 1.2 percent in October. The ministry maintained its assessment that industrial output is “seesawing.”
“The cautious stance towards production planning remains deeply entrenched,” a METI official said.
The production of electrical machinery and information and communication electronics equipment, including laptop computers, fell 5.7 percent in August from the previous month due to a reaction to pent-up demand in July. Fabricated metal production was down 7.8 percent.
In late July, Washington and Tokyo agreed upon a baseline 15 percent tariff on nearly all Japanese imports, down from an initial 27.5 percent rate on autos and a threatened 25 percent duty on most other goods, which came as a relief to Japanese exporters.
Motor vehicle production, a key industry for Japan, was up 2.5 percent in August from a month earlier as the output for vehicle models for sale overseas increased and a parts shortage eased.
Still, analysts said it was too early to be optimistic.
“Japanese manufacturers are feeling squeezed on all sides,” said Stefan Angrick, head of Japan and frontier market economics at Moody’s Analytics. “Higher US import tariffs under the US-Japan trade deal are dragging down shipments.”
BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda said this month that the central bank will continue to raise interest rates if the economy and prices move in line with its forecast, although he said he preferred to scrutinise more data for clues on how US tariffs could affect Japan’s economy.
Separate data showed Japanese retail sales in August declined 1.1 percent from a year earlier, the first decline in 42 months, dragged down by lower automobile sales. The median market forecast expected a 1.0 percent rise.
“This dismal data streak will keep the Bank of Japan on hold for now,” Angrick said.
