Japan Economy Still Lagging, Weighed Down by Strong Yen

The Japanese economy has yet to gather momentum as businesses continue to struggle with a slowdown in the global economy and a stronger yen, preliminary government data showed on Monday. 
In the April-June quarter, Japan's gross domestic product barely grew from the previous quarter, expanding by a mere 0.048%, although it avoided slipping back into negative quarter-on-quarter growth after an expansion in the January-March period, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported. 
Capital investment and exports weakened, bearing the brunt of a slowing global economy and the yen's appreciation against major counterparts. 
Capital investment fell 0.4% despite most private institutions expecting a return to growth. Private consumption, though still increased on the quarter, also lacked momentum. 
Growing uncertainty, mainly in the emerging world, coupled with a stronger yen deterred businesses from making investments. 
Earlier this month, the government decided on an economic stimulus package worth over 28 trillion yen ($276 billion), keeping in step with the BOJ's decision in July to ease monetary policy further, in a bid to shore up the economy with all available policy tools. 
To get the economy back on a path to steady growth, Japan must work out a way to help restore confidence among businesses and households.