East Asia Today

Japan's trade data for March show some of the trends seen elsewhere in the region: strong semiconductor sales, and as yet, no big rise in energy imports. In Korea, goods PPI signals further rises in goods CPI, and the BOK's loan officer survey warns of a rebound in lending to the household sector.

Paul Cavey

Apr 22, 2026 • 2 min read

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Korea – two warnings about inflation

Yesterday's loan officer survey and today's PPI print both warn about inflation risks. However, in PPI, it is only goods prices that offer clarity. Services PPI has risen too, but seems to suffer from the sort of distortions that are making trends in CPI services inflation difficult to interpret.

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East Asia Today

A longer note today on whether the recent lessening of deflation in China is sustainable. I think it might be. Also, data for the first 20 days of April in Korea showing continued chip export strength, and the SLO survey for Japan indicating stable lending standards.

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China – is the deflation crisis over?

The three red lines and covid delivered a huge, multi-year blow to the economy. Multiple signs have started to emerge that this hit has been absorbed, and that China macro is stabilising. This suggests that the recent lessening of deflation might prove durable, with broad implications across markets