Growth slows in Japan

Demand for freight in Japan

is being affected by reduced

economic prospects despite

efforts by the authorities to

stimulate growth.

Following an Article IV

consultation with Japan, the

International Monetary Fund

executive board has issued a

statement saying that growth

has slowed due to “weak

private consumption and

sluggish investment”.

Import volumes are likely

to be affected as private

consumption is projected to

grow modestly.

Exports are being affected

by “weakness in the global

recovery and trade, higher

uncertainty, especially in the

wake of the Brexit referendum,

while the recent appreciation

of the yen will likely pose

a drag on net exports and

investment”.

As a result the economy

is expected to expand at a

moderate pace of about 0.3%

in 2016, before slowing to 0,1%

in 2017, “excluding the possible

effect of the-yet-to-be-adopted

economic stimulus package”.