AI Data Insight
Japan's latest Q2 capacity utilization fell to 102.9, slipping further from the previous 103.7 and significantly missing the market consensus of a 2.0% rebound. This current downtrend was primarily dragged down by operating rates of electronic parts and electrical machinery plummeting over 5%, highlighting that high import costs are squeezing manufacturing profits. Looking ahead, if labor shortages and energy price pressures remain unresolved, they are likely to continue constraining the recovery momentum of Japanese corporate capital expenditures.