Recession across Japan deepens

Japan has recorded an unprecedented trade deficit and sees its economy to shrink up to 3% by end of 2009 as recession continues to hurt Asian countries.

Recession in Japan shows no signs letting up as the Finance Ministry announced that the trade deficit for January this year swelled up to JPY 952.6B, which is the lowest it has been ever since its earliest record 30 years ago.

Exports dived 45.7% from last year, highlighting that even Asia's largest economy was left exposed during the global economic slowdown.  This was largely due to its major reliance to export of cars, high tech equipment and other commodities to foreign buyers.  This  is a clear indication that Japan's dependence on exports is not working at all, at least not during times of global recession where international demand is hampered due to shrinking economies all around the world.

Top automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan were already forced to cuts thousands of jobs.  They are now sharply reducing production as part of they cost cutting initiatives to counter the slump in global car sales.

Toyota Motor, the leading car manufacturer in the world, announced a decline in global output by 42.6% this January from year ago.  Nissan Motor and Honda each reported decreased output by 54% and 33.5% respectively.

Japan's economy, second only to the United States, is currently in it's worst recession in decades, with GDP growth contracting 12.7% in Q4 2008, the lowest it has been in 35 years.

Back in the 90's, Japan was able to recover due to the strength of its exports, but this time, declining global consumer spending and the Yen's relative strength has Japanese exporters wanting and struggling the compete internationally. 

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Welcome to Stocks Watchdog Philippines

From 2003 upto 2007, the bull was seen all over the world, and the Philippines was no exception.  Came late 2007 upto today, the bull seems to have taken a break.  With the bear dominating most  (if not all) of the markets worldwide, there's no denying that we all felt the tremors and the global whiplash of financial panic and despair.

But it would seem that the bull is ready to re-emerge from exile and put the bear into hibernation once again.  How can I say this, when we still see falling markets and increasing unemployment all over the world?  Simple.  Things are starting to change, things are starting to get better.  

The term "panic" is no longer limited to the kind of hysteria we are used to, that sends stock prices plungging further down with inflation rates sky rocketing.  There are now times where people are in a state of panic because they have been trying to keep with premier stocks climbing continuously.  Some of these rallies may seem temporary, but the simple fact that stocks are already recovering, albeit temporary, is a very good indication that equities and other tradable goods like commodities are already starting to stabilize.

It would not be far now, that we may finally be rid of the plague we call the recession (or depression, as some overly pessimistic analysts have declared).  Now is the time to prepare, both financially and emotionally for coming of the new era, the age of the rebirth of the world economy.  And when the tide finally comes, you'd better be ready to board the ship and sail for the new world.  Opportunity is yours to gain.... or to loose.