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Regional Economic Report (Summary) (Oct. 2018)*

  • This report summarizes the reports from all regional research divisions, mainly at the Bank's branches in Japan, and is based on data and other information gathered for the meeting of general managers of the Bank's branches held today. The English translation is based on the Japanese original.

October 18, 2018
Bank of Japan

I. Regional Economic Assessments (Overview)

According to assessments from regions across Japan, all nine regions reported that their economy had been either expanding or recovering. Compared with the previous assessment in July 2018, however, the Hokkaido and Chugoku regions revised down their assessments, taking into account the effects of the natural disasters -- namely, the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake and the heavy rain in July 2018 -- that had affected each region, respectively. Meanwhile, the Kinki region maintained its assessment that its economy had been expanding moderately, although effects of Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon No. 21), which hit in September, were being observed. The other six regions (Tohoku, Hokuriku, Kanto-Koshinetsu, Tokai, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa) reported that their assessments were unchanged.

The background behind these assessments was that the virtuous cycle from income to spending had been maintained, as labor market conditions had continued to tighten steadily and private consumption had been increasing moderately, while exports had been on an increasing trend with overseas economies growing firmly.

Comparison of Previous and Current Assessments by Region
Region Assessment in July 2018 Changes
from the
previous
assessment1
Assessment in October 2018
Hokkaido The economy has been recovering moderately. lower right The economy has been recovering moderately as a trend, although downward pressure due to the effects of the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake is being observed.
Tohoku The economy has continued to recover moderately. unchanged The economy has continued to recover moderately.
Hokuriku The economy has been expanding. unchanged The economy has been expanding.
Kanto-
Koshinetsu
The economy has been expanding moderately. unchanged The economy has been expanding moderately.
Tokai The economy has been expanding. unchanged The economy has been expanding.
Kinki The economy has been expanding moderately, although effects of the earthquake have been observed in some industries. unchanged The economy has been expanding moderately, although effects of Typhoon No. 21 are being observed in economic activity.
Chugoku The economy has been expanding moderately. lower right Although the economy was damaged by the heavy rain in July 2018, it has been expanding moderately as a trend, amid the effects of the heavy rain waning, mainly reflecting the restoration of social infrastructure.
Shikoku The economy has been recovering. unchanged The economy has been recovering.
Kyushu- Okinawa The economy has been expanding moderately, with its growth gaining a more solid footing. unchanged The economy has been expanding moderately, with its growth gaining a more solid footing.
  1. With regard to the changes from the previous assessment, arrows pointing to the upper right or lower right indicate changes in the pace of improvement or deterioration compared with the previous assessments, respectively. For example, an acceleration in the pace of improvement or deceleration in the pace of deterioration is indicated with an arrow pointing to the upper right. A horizontal arrow pointing to the right indicates that the pace of improvement or deterioration in economic conditions is unchanged compared with the previous assessment.

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Inquiries

Regional Research Division, Research and Statistics Department

Tel : +81-3-3277-1357