Japan has unveiled one of its biggest economic transformation plans in decades, announcing a massive 370 trillion yen ($2.5 trillion) investment strategy through 2040. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government aims to strengthen Japan's leadership in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, defense, clean energy, and shipbuilding while boosting long-term economic growth.

The ambitious blueprint is designed to improve productivity, reduce dependence on China, and keep Japan competitive in the global AI race. However, economists and investors are raising concerns over how the government plans to finance the enormous spending package, especially with Japan already carrying one of the world's highest public debt burdens.

Japan Unveils $2.3 Trillion Economic Plan | AI, Semiconductors & Defense Push | Wion News 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector. In its regional economic outlook report released on Wednesday, the IMF downgraded China's growth projection for 2023 and 2024. The world's second-largest economy is expected to expand by 5 per cent this year and 4.2 per cent next year, a decline from the IMF's April forecast of 5.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively.&nbsp;

The IMF's report highlights that China's recovery has been "losing steam," with the manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes entering a contraction phase between April and August. Simultaneously, conditions in the real estate sector continue to deteriorate, contributing to the downward revision in growth forecasts.&nbsp;

The report also raises concerns about the property market in China, stating that a prolonged housing market correction could lead to "greater financial stress among property developers and larger asset quality deterioration" in the near-term. This, in turn, could result in a potential decline of China's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1.6 per cent relative to the baseline by 2025. The global GDP would also be affected, with a decline of 0.6 per cent relative to the baseline.&nbsp;

Despite the challenges in China, the IMF's outlook for Asia and the Pacific in 2023 remains relatively positive. The report describes this region as "the most dynamic" for the year. The agency maintains its earlier growth projection for the region, forecasting a growth rate of 4.6 per cent in 2023. It anticipates that economic activity in the region will contribute to approximately two-thirds of global growth this year.&nbsp;

However, the IMF expects growth in Asia and the Pacific to decelerate to 4.2 per cent in the following year, and further slow to 3.9 per cent in the medium-term. This would represent the lowest growth rate in the past two decades, except for 2020. The structural slowdown in China and weaker productivity growth in many other economies are expected to exert downward pressure on the region.&nbsp;

One positive aspect noted in the report is disinflation. The IMF predicts that the region, excluding Japan, is expected to return to central bank inflation targets by the end of next year. This places Asia ahead of the rest of the world, where inflation is not anticipated to return to target levels until at least 2025.&nbsp;

However, the IMF cautions central banks in the region against prematurely easing monetary policy. It emphasises the need for these banks to ensure that inflation remains durably at appropriate targets, and suggests that strengthening financial supervision, vigilant monitoring of systemic risks, and modernising resolution frameworks are critical to maintaining financial stability.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecasts for China, indicating that the country's recovery is slowing down and attributing it to the weakness in its property sector. In its regional economic outlook report released on Wednesday, the IMF downgraded China's growth projection for 2023 and 2024. The world's second-largest economy is expected to expand by 5 per cent this year and 4.2 per cent next year, a decline from the IMF's April forecast of 5.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively. The IMF's report highlights that China's recovery has been "losing steam," with the manufacturing purchasing managers' indexes entering a contraction phase between April and August. Simultaneously, conditions in the real estate sector continue to deteriorate, contributing to the downward revision in growth forecasts. The report also raises concerns about the property market in China, stating that a prolonged housing market correction could lead to "greater financial stress among property developers and larger asset quality deterioration" in the near-term. This, in turn, could result in a potential decline of China's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 1.6 per cent relative to the baseline by 2025. The global GDP would also be affected, with a decline of 0.6 per cent relative to the baseline. Despite the challenges in China, the IMF's outlook for Asia and the Pacific in 2023 remains relatively positive. The report describes this region as "the most dynamic" for the year. The agency maintains its earlier growth projection for the region, forecasting a growth rate of 4.6 per cent in 2023. It anticipates that economic activity in the region will contribute to approximately two-thirds of global growth this year. However, the IMF expects growth in Asia and the Pacific to decelerate to 4.2 per cent in the following year, and further slow to 3.9 per cent in the medium-term. This would represent the lowest growth rate in the past two decades, except for 2020. The structural slowdown in China and weaker productivity growth in many other economies are expected to exert downward pressure on the region. One positive aspect noted in the report is disinflation. The IMF predicts that the region, excluding Japan, is expected to return to central bank inflation targets by the end of next year. This places Asia ahead of the rest of the world, where inflation is not anticipated to return to target levels until at least 2025. However, the IMF cautions central banks in the region against prematurely easing monetary policy. It emphasises the need for these banks to ensure that inflation remains durably at appropriate targets, and suggests that strengthening financial supervision, vigilant monitoring of systemic risks, and modernising resolution frameworks are critical to maintaining financial stability. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China’s property market could slow down Asia's economy: IMF

Economies in Asia and the Pacific are projected to grow 4.8% this year and next year, improving on the 4.2% growth rate in 2022, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023, released today.

ADB: Developing economies in Asia-Pacific to grow 4.8% in 2023 and 2024

ADB says Asia and Pacific to grow by 4.8% in 2023 & 2024

The International Monetary Fund said on Sunday that the global economic outlook is even gloomier than projected last month. It cited a steady worsening in purchasing manager surveys in recent months

WION Business News | Global economic outlook getting `gloomier`, says IMF

The International Monetary Fund slashed this year's economic forecast for Asia, reflecting a sharper-than-expected contraction in countries like India, a sign the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the region.

World Business Watch: IMF cuts Asia's growth forecast; Pandemic-driven risks for Asian nations

Reports say that Asia's second-largest economy, Japan is set to declare a recession after 71 straight months of growth. Watch the WION report from Tokyo.

Recession coming in Japan: Asian economy sinks deeper

Indian shares rose on Monday, led by metals and real estate stocks, while gains in broader Asia on hopes of progress in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-phase-two-us-china-deal-on-the-horizon-officials-say-264312">US-China trade talks</a> also boosted sentiment.

The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 0.3 per cent&nbsp;at 11,946.90, while the S&amp;P BSE&nbsp;Sensex&nbsp;was up 0.27 per cent&nbsp;at 40,472.53.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan bounced 0.8 per cent&nbsp;after US&nbsp;national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Saturday said an initial trade agreement with China was still possible by the end of the year.

O'Brien, however, warned Washington would not turn a blind eye to what happens in Hong Kong, which added to worries that a Chinese crackdown on anti-government protests in Hong Kong could further complicate the talks.

In the domestic markets, the Nifty Metals index rose about 1.6 per cent, while the Nifty Realty index advanced 1.8 per cent&nbsp;in early trading.

Steelmakers JSW Steel and Tata Steel were the top gainers on the Nifty, rising about 2.5 per cent&nbsp;each, after prices of metals rose on positive signals from Washington on China.

Zee Entertainment lost 2.69 per cent&nbsp;and was the top loser on the Nifty.

Indian shares rose on Monday, led by metals and real estate stocks, while gains in broader Asia on hopes of progress in the US-China trade talks also boosted sentiment.

Indian shares rose on Monday, led by metals and real estate stocks, while gains in broader Asia on hopes of progress in the US-China trade talks also boosted sentiment. The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 0.3 per cent at 11,946.90, while the S&P BSE Sensex was up 0.27 per cent at 40,472.53. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan bounced 0.8 per cent after US national security adviser Robert O'Brien on Saturday said an initial trade agreement with China was still possible by the end of the year. O'Brien, however, warned Washington would not turn a blind eye to what happens in Hong Kong, which added to worries that a Chinese crackdown on anti-government protests in Hong Kong could further complicate the talks. In the domestic markets, the Nifty Metals index rose about 1.6 per cent, while the Nifty Realty index advanced 1.8 per cent in early trading. Steelmakers JSW Steel and Tata Steel were the top gainers on the Nifty, rising about 2.5 per cent each, after prices of metals rose on positive signals from Washington on China. Zee Entertainment lost 2.69 per cent and was the top loser on the Nifty.

Sensex, Nifty track broader Asia higher; metal stocks gain

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