Japan falls to 9th in WEFʼs competitiveness rankings

September 26, 2017

LONDON- Japan ranked ninth in the World Economic Forum's annual global competitiveness rankings covering 137 countries and regions, down from last year's eighth, the WEF said Wednesday.

The country saw its ranking drop for the second consecutive year. Japan's infrastructure, such as railways, was highly rated, but it retreated as Hong Kong jumped to sixth from ninth place.

Switzerland topped the overall rankings for the ninth straight year. The United States rose to second from third, overtaking Singapore, which slipped to third.

Japan rose to fourth from fifth in infrastructure, to 15th from 19th in technological readiness including the Internet, and to 93rd from 104th in macroeconomic environment.

Hong Kong ranked top in infrastructure, such as airport, and was also highly rated for its tax system advantageous for businesses. Jiji Press