Tokyo, April 18, 2017 -- Moody's Japan K.K. has released its latest issue of Inside
Japan, which says that the Japanese economy is showing evidence
of incremental progress on reflation, after the government's
announcement of a fiscal package in August 2016, and the unveiling
of the Bank of Japan's yield curve control framework a month later.
Moody's also says that somewhat stronger external demand has augmented
the impact of these measures by the Japanese government (A1 stable) and
the Bank of Japan.
Further tangible effects will likely materialize in 2017, as the
promised fiscal stimulus is fully implemented. Faster economic
growth is positive for the sovereign, because it helps to continue
stabilizing the country's high public debt burden, its foremost
credit weakness.
Moody's "Inside Japan" bi-annual compendium includes recent key
research and commentaries published, as well as a list of recent
major rating actions in Japan.
Moody's compendium points out that the yen has weakened considerably
since September 2016, providing a boost to exports and corporate
profitability. The recovery in external demand — consistent
with a pick-up in global trade towards the end of 2016 —
has amplified the effect of the weaker yen.
Moody's also says that the near-term risks to Japan's
growth outlook are broadly balanced. Moody's expects policy
stimulus to provide support to the domestic economy, offsetting
downside risks related to potentially more protectionist US trade policy.
Moody's latest edition of Inside Japan includes the following research
and rating highlights :
•Economic Momentum Building on the Back of Rising Exports and Expected
Fiscal Support
•Government of Japan — A1 Stable: Annual Credit Analysis
•Government of Japan: Abenomics Third Arrow Supports Economic
Revitalization Goals; Remains a Work in Progress
•Japan Railway Construction Transport Tech. Ag: JRTT's
Involvement in Shinkansen Project Reflects Its Strengthened Policy Role
•Regional and Local Governments — Japan: Central Government
to Facilitate Credit Positive Infrastructure Debt Refinancing
•Electric Utilities — Japan: Nuclear reliant electric
utilities face customer losses
•Westinghouse's Bankruptcy Filing Will Limit Toshiba's
Liabilities
•Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: FAQ — Leverage
Spike Due to ARIAD Acquisition Drives Outlook Change to Negative
•Central Japan Railway Company: FAQ — Government Loan
for Maglev Project to Support Liquidity amid Rise in Spending Needs
•Komatsu Ltd.: Conservative Expansion Strategy and Focus
on Balance Sheet Support Credit Quality
•Sony Corporation: Sony's goodwill impairment of JPY112.1
billion is credit negative; no immediate rating impact
•REITs and REOCs — Japan: Stable Credit Profile in Low
Interest Rate Environment, but Pace of Growth Slowing
•Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha: FAQ — Downgrade to Baa3
and Negative Outlook Reflect Our Expectations for Sustained High Leverage
•REITS — Japan: Improving Leverage Is Credit Positive,
but Rise in Short-Term Debt Poses Potential Risks
•Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.: Overseas
Expansion a Key Driver of MUFG's Credit Profile
•Life Insurance Industry — Japan: 2017 Outlook —
Persistent Ultralow Interest Rates Drive Negative Outlook
•Banks — Japan: How Megabanks Have Changed Their Balance
Sheets and Resulting Impact on NIMs
•Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.: Improved Corporate
Governance to Support Risk Management and Financial Performance
•Banks — Japan: Impact from Negative Interest Rates Is
Marginal
•Banking System Outlook — Japan: Strong Liquidity,
Low Domestic Asset Risk and Sufficient Capital Keep Outlook Stable
•Auto ABS — Japan: New Car Loans Outperform Used,
but Degree Depends on Type of Originator
•MMC Diamond Finance's Auto Loan ABS: ABS Performance Unscathed
by Mitsubishi Motors' Manipulation of Fuel Economy Tests
•Auto ABS — Japan: Structural Protections and Quality
Servicing Mitigate Risk of Revolving Portfolios
•RMBS — Japan: High Prepayment Rate Is Credit Positive
for Condominium Investment Loan Deals
Subscribers can access the report at:
http://www.moodys.com/viewresearchdoc.aspx?docid=PBC_195329
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Graeme Knowd
MD - Banking
Financial Institutions Group
Moody's Japan K.K.
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Tokyo 105-6220
Japan
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Kei Kitayama
MD - Asia-Pac Structured Fin
Structured Finance Group
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Releasing Office:
Moody's Japan K.K.
Atago Green Hills Mori Tower 20fl
2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku
Tokyo 105-6220
Japan
JOURNALISTS: 813-5408-4110
SUBSCRIBERS: 813-5408-4100