Japan

Recent financial forecasts from the leading Japanese retailers underline our view that domestic household spending is set for subdued growth over the coming quarters in the post-Tohoku... 2011-05-03

The 8.9-9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 2011 has dealt the Japanese consumer a severe blow. Struggling with stagnating wage growth and declining household... 2011-03-15

There is hardly any sign of optimism in Japan's consumer outlook. Despite the near-term bounce in economic activity, the triple threat of worsening demographics, depleting savings and... 2011-03-10

Japanese consumer stocks are continuing to stutter along. Over the last 12 months, the Topix Foods Index (comprising Japanese consumer stocks) has underperformed the benchmark Nikkei... 2011-03-07

Japanese brewer Sapporo is adopting a twin-pronged strategy of geographical and sectoral diversification as the domestic market continues to stutter along. With the Japanese consumer... 2011-03-02

Japanese brewer Asahi Breweries' flat sales growth for FY2010 underlines the still-challenging operating conditions in its home market of Japan. A bleak outlook for the Japanese alcoholic... 2011-02-17

Jumping onboard the joint ventures bandwagon in a bid to successfully exploit the massive growth opportunities in China, Japanese brewer Kirin has agreed to set up a joint venture with... 2011-02-09

After experiencing two decades of slow demand growth, demand for whisky is now on the rise in Japan. While whisky market leader Suntory's aggressive efforts in improving the image of... 2010-12-31

Japanese brewer Kirin has been forced to write-down the value of its Australian subsidiary National Foods due to increasing input costs and challenging operating conditions in the Australian... 2010-12-23

Japanese brewer Asahi's proposed acquisition of Australian soft drinks maker P&N Beverages is in a stalemate after Australia's competition commission raised concerns about the impact... 2010-12-20