Japan’s Likely GDP Dip May Embolden Call for Big Fiscal Spending

Japan’s economy likely shrank by the most in two years over the summer, with figures out Monday poised to offer Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi some potential justification for compiling a hefty economic package.

Japan’s real gross domestic product is forecast to contract by 2.4% in the three months through September on an annualized basis, the first decline in six quarters, according to economists’ estimates.