Reuters surveyed 18 experts to gauge their perceptions of Abe on five areas: ending deflation; fiscal reform; labour-market reform; encouraging business and investment; and deregulation. RICHARD JERRAM, CHIEF ECONOMIST, TOP DOWN MACROACHIEVED"Before COVID-19 hit, Japan had enjoyed several years of strikingly tight labour markets and solid growth (for Japan). My sense is that the labour market is getting reformed. The liberalisation of the labour market still has a long way to go solve the problem of a shrinking labour pool." "However, many of these aspects are embedded in (Japan's) corporate culture and take time to change.

Source: The Star August 31, 2020 07:18 UTC