There’s been no shortage of tragedies in the short history of the 21st century to date, although the disaster in Japan surely rivals the worst of the worst. In this century, or any other. It’s also a catastrophe that’s still unfolding, and it may very well deteriorate further beyond the already horrific news. If ever an event needed the better angels of our nature, the calamity in Japan is it. With that in mind, here are some reference links for topics bound up with helping a country in distress.
Daily Archives: March 14, 2011
Japan’s Pain & Suffering Will Have Global Consequences
The week ahead will bring fresh news on a number of key economic fronts for the U.S., including housing starts and consumer price inflation. But the numbers may be irrelevant before they’re published as the tragedy in Japan alters perceptions and economic activity. The global economy was already under a shadow in the wake of the Middle East turmoil due to the resulting jump in oil prices. That threat appears to have eased a bit, although it’s premature to dismiss this factor in the weeks and months ahead. Meantime, there’s Japan to consider, starting with the huge scale of human suffering. In economic terms, the first hurdle is dealing with lots of new uncertainty that’s arrived in the wake of the tragedy. Dated economic news in the period ahead is likely to be of limited value for assessing the trend.
Strategic Briefing | 3.14.2011 | Economic Blowback From Japan
Analysis: Japan quake risks severe near-term economic damage
Reuters | Mar 14
A triple blow of earthquake, tsunami and one of Japan’s worst nuclear accidents is set to damage the world’s third largest economy, possibly more deeply and for longer than initially expected. Power outages and possible tax rises are likely to hurt companies and households and could outweigh the mild economic aftershock from the 1995 Kobe earthquake, given that oil prices and the yen are stronger and Japan’s debt pile is much bigger.