Embassy of Japan

Japanese Economy

Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Japan

2005

2004

	Growth Rate in Real GDP
	6.1% (SAAR (Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate), the 1st quarter of 2004) 3.2% (FY2003) (1.1% (FY2002), 1.2% (FY2001)) (The 1st Preliminary Estimates of National Expenditure Jan.-Mar.2004, Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office ) IMF and OECD predict 3.4% and 3.0% growth in 2004 respectively.
	Disposal of Non-performing Loans
	NPLs – 5.2% of outstanding loans at the major banks in March 2004 8.4% in March 2002 - The government's goal is to reduce it to the 4% level by March 2005 (Financial Statements of Major Banks: March 2004, Financial Services Agency)
	Nikkei 225 Stock Average
	11,166.03 JPY (5/27/2004) (7,600 JPY in April 2003) (Nikkei.net Interactive)
	Unemployment Rate
	4.7% in April 2004 (almost the lowest in the past three years) (Labour Force Survey Monthly Results; April 2004, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications)

		FAQ on Japan: Economy
		Japanese Economy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website)
		Prime Minister of Japan & His Cabinet - Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy - Council for Regulation Reform
		Bank of Japan - Monetary Policy - Speeches and Statements - Research Papers
		Ministry of Finance - International Finance - Customs & Tariff - Budget - Tax Policy
		Financial Services Agency - Press Releases - Press Conferences - Statements & Presentations - References
		Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry - White Papers/Reports
		Japan External Trade Organization - USA Office - Invest Japan!
		Industrial Revitalization Corporation

Statement by Prime Minister Koizumi on the "Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform 2005" (Cabinet Decision) (06/24/05)

Suggestions for Accessing the Government Procurement Market of Japan (update)[PDF] (06/07/05)