Growth and Labor

imf: The IMF expects Japan's growth momentum to carry through this year but weaken next year if fiscal support fades as currently scheduled, the report said, according to The Japan Times. Recent growth, bolstered by fiscal support and firmness of the world economy, could be temporary, it said. In its assessment of the Japanese economy following annual consultations with the government, the IMF suggested advancing reforms to bolster investment as well as diversifying and enhancing labor supply to raise potential growth. ; To this end, full-time work, female and older labor market participation, and use of foreign labor, should be facilitated, the Washington-based institution said in a report released Monday. Measured by real gross domestic product, the IMF estimates that the world's third-largest economy will grow 1.3 percent in 2017, up from 1.0 percent in 2016. The possible expiration of fiscal support in 2018, together with a smaller expansion in foreign demand, would reduce the rate of growth, despite an anticipated Olympics-related boost in private investment, the report said. Growth, however, is projected to slow to 0.6 percent in 2018. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.