NHK



 

The International Monetary Fund says the Japanese economy is recovering from the pandemic, but it warns that the country still faces threats to growth.

The IMF said in a statement that it expects Japan's economic expansion to continue for the second year in a row, led by rebounding private consumption and investment.

However, it cautions that consumption faces risks given the current surge of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

The IMF says Japan should restore fiscal health to ensure sustainable growth, including by reining in the debt-to-GDP ratio, which is over 200 percent.

The IMF also encourages the country to boost the participation of women and the elderly in the workforce. It says Japan should also welcome more foreign workers in sectors facing labor shortages.