A sharper-than-expected Japan GDP decline of an annualised 1.8% in Q3 marked the country’s first economic contraction in six quarters, driven by slumping exports to the US under higher tariffs and weaker housing investment. The fall, though milder than predicted, showed net external demand shaving 0.2 percentage point off growth, while private consumption inched up 0.1% and capital spending rose 1%, reflecting uneven domestic momentum. Economists view the setback as temporary