- About half of companies responded, “There will be no last-minute demand.” - Although the consumption tax rate was supposed to be raised to 10% in October 2015 according to the Revised Consumption Tax Act of 2012, the consumption tax rate increase was postponed twice, in November 2014 and June 2016. Currently, the government says that the consumption tax rate will increase to 10% in October 2019. A reduced tax rate system will also be introduced upon this consumption tax rat

- While deterioration in manufacturing continues, last-minute demand appeared in part of the retail （Companies researched: 23,632; Valid responses: 9,977; Response rate: 42.2%; Survey start date: May 2002) Overview of May 2019: Possibility of entering a recession phase The economic diffusion index (DI) in June 2019 was 45.1, down 0.3 points from the previous month, and worsened for the seventh consecutive month. Stagnant exports and the cost burden remaining at a high level c