Japan’s 3Q Growth Hits Speed Bump

Japan’s 3Q Growth Hits Speed Bump (CNBC)

After first and second quarter growth rates of 4.1 and 3.8 percent, respectively, Japan’s economic growth is expected to take a breather before revving back up in the fourth quarter of this year. According to a Reuter’s poll, Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) will only rise by 1.7 percent, less than half of the two previous quarters of 2013. So is this downturn merely a blip on Japan’s radar screen, or does it signal a critical misfire for Abenomics — the program name coined in honor of Prime Minster Shinzo Abe, it’s creator. Well, according to Long Hunhua Wang, a Japanese economist at RBS, it’s a mild hiccup, “Domestic demand remains robust and there is momentum there…” So, if you’re considering re-entering the Japanese investment scene, now might be a good time to buy the dips.