Will Japan Ever See Inflation Again?

One bank opines that a tight Japanese Labor Market will depress inflation for Years, while another says FOREVER

As the Eurozone is still struggling to deal with its chronic unemployment problem, on the other side of the world Japan’s labor market is very close to overheating. The country is nearing full employment, with the ratio of job offers to applicants standing at its highest level in 43 years, a trend which should lift wages and spur price hikes, igniting inflation and hopefully bringing an end to Japan’s economic stagnation.

The ratio of job openings to applicants hit 1.48 in April, the highest level in 43 years on a seasonally adjusted basis. Meanwhile, the ratio of full-time job openings to...