A little more on Q2 Capital spending by Japanese companies data from earlier in the session

Data is here: Japan – Q2 Capital Spending +3.0% y/y (vs. +4.2% expected)

More from the Wall Street Journal (gated): Japan Capex Falls as Demand Slumps

In brief:

• Capital spending by Japanese companies fell by 1.8% in the April to June period from the previous quarter
• Reflecting a slump in demand after the first sales tax increase in 17 years took effect

  The survey’s gloomy results come after data released last week showed that household spending in Japan dropped sharply in July, heightening concerns that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to raise taxes by some $80 billion is taking a greater-than-expected toll on the economy