JAPAN BRANCHES OUT

摘要

Japan's cosmetics and personal care market is holding steady. However, (here are concerns that stability is being supported by strong consumption resulting from the burgeoning number of tourists visiting the country combined with a weak Japanese yen. US$1 bought ￥117 in December 2016 compared with ￥100 in July 2016, although it has since recovered to ￥1 10 (this April). Those factors, in turn, may be masking weaker purchasing power among Japanese consumers due to the long-standing issues of economic uncertainty providing less disposable income, and a declining and ageing population.