Supply Chain Research

The latest Tankan survey of Japanese business expectations improved in March vs. December’s result, with export conditions turning positive for the first time since 2015. The outlook is still negative, but at the least worst level since June 2015. The improvement is similar to, but less extreme than, the results seen in the U.S. and China. The shipbuilding industry is still in poor shape, with the outlook for exports falling into negative territory and reaching its worst level since June 2013. Falling container rates and the recapitalization of the South Korean shipbuilding industry may ...