East Asia Today

Commodity prices show pipeline inflation pressures across the region remain substantial. In Japan, domestic price pressures are also apparent, with a renewed rise in the positive output gap in Q2 and high consumer inflation expectations. Taiwan's fx reserves fell in September.

Paul Cavey

Oct 5, 2026 • 2 min read

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Weekly charts

I am trying out a free weekly, highlighting four charts that illustrate macro trends across the region. Today's covers input prices in China, broadening CPI inflation in Japan, exports in Korea and the property market in Taiwan.

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Last week, next week

China's incremental policy is unlikely to move the cycle. Japan's nominal growth is strong enough to make the October BOJ meeting interesting. In Korea, the mainstream MPC view of one hike in the next 6M looks light. The revival in property sentiment in Taiwan is important given negative real rates.

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East Asia Today

Inflation in the full Tankan was stronger than in the summary, and actual CPI for Tokyo for September showed signs of broadening too. Korea September CPI was also strong, though more cost-push than demand-pull. Taiwan's property market remained weak in September. However, sales are up from the lows.