Ministerial Council on the Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues

On February 19, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba attended a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Monthly Economic Report and other relative issues at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Regarding the assessment of the current state of the Japanese economy, the February Monthly Economic Report states, “The Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace, although it remains at a standstill in part.” Furthermore, concerning short-term prospects, the Report states that “the economy is expected to continue recovering at a moderate pace with the improving employment and income situation,” supported by policy effects. The Report further states that, however, the slowdown of overseas economies poses a downside risk to the Japanese economy, “including the effects of continued high interest rate levels in the U.S. and Europe, and the lingering stagnation of the real estate market in China. Also, full attention should be given to the effects of price increases, policy trends in the U.S. such as trade policy, the situation in the Middle East and fluctuations in the financial and capital markets.”