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In this Bloomberg Asia Trade interview from May 11th, Head of Asia Consumer at CLSA Oliver Matthew, argues that Japan’s consumer economy remains under pressure from a weak yen, imported inflation, rising prices and cautious household spending. The discussion looks at why asset owners, inbound tourism and globally recognized Japanese brands may be benefiting, while many ordinary consumers are still feeling squeezed by higher living costs. Topics Covered Japan’s stock market ma

On April 13th, the Nikkei Shimbun reported that the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza posted record annual sales of ¥60.3 billion in fiscal 2025, surpassing the ¥60 billion mark for the first time since opening in 1995. Seibu Real Estate Property Management, based in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, said sales at the outlet mall and retail complex in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, rose 2.2% from the previous fiscal year. It was the fourth consecutive year that the shopping centre

Japan’s economy is showing renewed signs of life after decades of stagnation, but the recovery remains fragile. Real wages fell again in 2025, even as the Nikkei reached record highs and nominal wages began to rise. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s economic agenda, often called “Sanaenomics,” combines fiscal spending, stimulus, and reform to support growth. But a weak yen, higher import costs, soft household spending, geopolitical risks, and Japan’s heavy debt burden could sti

Japan’s real estate market produces a steady flow of useful consumer information, but much of it appears first in Japanese. For international buyers, overseas investors, foreign residents and globally minded property owners, that creates a real information gap. Important updates on condominium price and rental trends, housing supply, mortgage conditions, redevelopment, resort markets and regulation can be difficult to follow without Japanese-language ability. Japan Real Estat

On May 7th, Tokyo Kantei released their 2025 Condominium Price-Earnings Ratio (PER) report, showing that Greater Tokyo Area (GTA) condominium prices are rising faster than rents and further stretching the link between purchase prices and rental income. The clearest signal is in the resale market. The average PER for 10-year-old existing condominiums reached 31.78, surpassing the 30.46 recorded for newly built units. Photo by Maria Krasnova on Unsplash That means existing con