Many of today's prescriptions for instance, that Japan should cut taxes to boost consumer demand and thereby reduce its current-account surplus are based on it.

ECONOMIST: Figures to fret about

Nationally, the unemployment rate remains near a three-decade low, the federal government still has a budget surplus and over the past three months consumer confidence has risen, according to the Conference Board, a business lobby.

ECONOMIST: Economic fears ambush Stephen Harper��s hopes of a majority