In its Regional Economic Report, BoJ J still painted a much weaker economy. On the whole, assessment on three of the nine regions – Tohoku, Hokuriku and Kyushu-Okinawa – were downgraded. BoJ also pointed to “effects of the slowdown in overseas economies on exports and production” for the changes. Only Hokkaido was upgraded thanks to dissipation of downward pressure from 2018 earthquake.
Though, BoJ noted that “domestic demand had continued to show firm developments, with a virtuous cycle from income to spending operating in both the corporate and household sectors.” Business investment was not affected by the oversea slowdown and “has continued on an increasing trend, with corporate profits staying at a favorable level on the whole.”. Private consumption has been “increasing moderately”.
