Japan Govt Cuts Economic View on Chugoku Region

August 31, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Cabinet Office lowered its economic view on the Chugoku western region on Thursday, citing the impact of torrential rain in July.

The economy in the region "remains on a moderate recovery path, though weakness is observed in some areas," the government agency said in a quarterly report for August.

The previous May report said that the region's economy "remains on a moderate recovery path."

In the region, the tourist number dropped sharply and retail sales tumbled after the rains disrupted transportation, the Cabinet Office said.

The agency upgraded its views on the Hokuriku central, Shikoku western and Kyushu southwestern regions, while its views were kept unchanged for the remaining eight regions.

In Hokuriku, production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and drugs was strong, it said.

Kyushu saw brisk production of vehicles and semiconductor integrated circuits. Consumption of air conditioners and electric fans grew in Shikoku.

The Cabinet Office kept its views on employment intact for all regions that the situation is "improving steadily" due to increased jobs opportunities. Jiji Press