Diaspora remittances are currently one of the main sources of foreign exchange for the country, amounting to USD1.7 billion in the 12 months to October 2016, up from USD1.4 billion in 2015. Apart from remittances, which are an alternative investment financing channel in key sectors of our economy such as real estate, diaspora entrepreneurs are helping create jobs and stimulate trade.
Reviewing the forecasts presented in the October Outlook Report in January, it was judged that Japan's economy and prices had so far deviated slightly below the outlook forecasts, but that economic expansion was likely to continue under price stability.