Understandably the exchange rate has weakened. This should be enormously stimulatory for the country, and I suspect it will be sustained by the strength of the Asian region. This might well be the lead the market needs in terms of dragging the globe out of this slump. Japan needs to rebuild real incomes, and that will come from exports to Asia as well as deregulation of the high-cost Japanese economy. Japan has no choice. The people are already killing themselves with work. They need a lower cost environment. The concessions so far have come from workers in the form of outsourcing, contracted labour agreements which mean many workers are easily fired. This is not to ignore the fact that Japan retains high cost 'life of employment' workers in the large companies. That culture will need to change. We can look forward to a dynamic Japanese economy. Historically transformations have been rapid. Remember that Japan is the compliant society; so expect people to fall into line. Few cultures have such acceptance of personal hardship; so much tolerance for austerity than Japan. It will happen again. I would be expecting to happen quickly, as it did in the Meiji and post-WWII era. One needs only look at the discipline of the Japanese homeless people.
The Yen has alread weakened somewhat; but as is apparent, this is a medium term exit point as Y90 is an important resistance point....as you can see from the chart. You might expect a resumption of Yen strength to Y84 in the coming weak, as traders take profits. The evidence still needs to fall on the table.
USD-JPY EXCHANGE RATE - as at 22nd Jan 2013.
We have long appreciated the virtues of living in Japan. Some years ago I prepared a book on buying foreclosed property in Japan. See the link below.
Asian property markets outperforming Japan Foreclosed Guide Philippines Property Guide
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