East Asia Econ

East Asia Today

More inflation indicators to report today. China's high-frequency upstream price data continue to point to a YoY rise in PPI in March for the first time since 2022. In Japan, latest data show the output gap (on the BOJ's updated methodology) tightened further in Q425.

Paul Cavey

Apr 6, 2026 • 2 min read

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Last week, next week

The themes around China as a relative safe haven, and firming inflation in Japan, are clear. The inflation picture in Japan supports rate hikes. Korea, by contrast, is messier: there are positive dynamics like the surging trade surplus and WGBI inclusion, but the KRW still can't stabilise.

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East Asia Today

Like the manufacturing version a couple of days ago, China S&P/RatingDog services PMI in March gave back the big gains of February. Japan's services PMI remained firm, but showed rising inflation and falling confidence. Korea February JOLTS data point to the labour market remaining soft.

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East Asia Today

More on inflation pressures in Asia, with the details of the Japan Tankan, and Korea March CPI. Also, export price deflation in China being less than often supposed, one of the highlights of February trade in volume and price terms.