The Japanese economy ended the year on a positive note. Many of the figures unveiled today, writes Le Monde, seem to confirm the positive effects of Abenomics, the economic policy adopted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after his return to power in December 2012. Unemployment is still decreasing (-0,2% compared to the previous month) to 3,7%.
Prices grew by 1,3% over the previous year, while industrial production and consumption recorded +1,1% and +0,7% respectively. Inflation is the consequence of the fall of the yen and the increase in purchases of raw materials, oil, gas and food.
2014 promises to be a particularly delicate year for Abe's government, in particular for the growth strategy, which will have to translate into structural reforms. The measures he speaks of consist of the reduction of costs for businesses and flexibility on the labor market and in agriculture, with a view to an agreement on the PTP, the ambitious transpacific free trade agreement that 11 countries - including the USA - are negotiating .
