The Japanese government has identified cuts of Y2.52 trillion ($27bn) from ministry budgets as well as cutting Y455bn from public works. The cuts represent 18% of the previous Taro Aso administration's Y14.7tr supplementary budget for the 2009 fiscal year ending March 2010.

The quarterly Tankan economic survey released on October 3 showed a diffusion index of minus 33, up from minus 48 in the previous quarter. The August unemployment rate announced on October 2 was 5.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous month.

29 Sep 2009 -

Post-bubble, post-stimulus economy

16 Sep 2009 -

Also rising, with luck