Some Good Economic News from Japan

Japan has been getting some good news on the economic front lately, with a key price index that showed strong growth indicating that the “three arrows” of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics” — increasing the money supply, creating new stimulus through public works projects and embracing de-regulation in order to encourage growth — might actually be working a little. It might seem odd for a government to try to induce inflation, which makes it harder for people to buy what they need, but Japan’s been trapped in a deflationary spiral since 1998 and drastic action was called for. On the other hand, Japan just posted its largest-ever budget for 2014, 96 trillion yen ($921 billion), chock full of money for useful things like construction money for Japan’s aging freeway system, dubious things like shinkansen lines to Hokkaido, plus increased defense spending so Japan can continue its silly posing war with China. Japan’s conservative government also raised taxes to 45% (55% including prefectural and city taxes) for the highest earners.

Shinzo Abe, the man who makes our anime cheaper.