With the average worker's pay barely rising and inflation hovering just above zero, it is easy to overlook the resilience of Japan's economic growth streak, which is currently on track to become the longest in the postwar era.
Yet both internal headwinds, such as the upcoming consumption tax hike slated for this coming October, alongside slowing global growth and stock market downturns around the world, indicate that the party may finally be coming to a close.
While it is highly uncertain as to which looming events will hold back global commerce, professional economic soothsayers appear in agreement on one theme for 2019: Growing risks and subsequent uncertainty will significantly slow Japan's economic growth over the next few years.
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