今年の成長予想、０．８％に下げ　消費増税対策の延長を―ＩＭＦ対日審査

　【ワシントン時事】国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は２５日、年次対日審査の終了に際して声明を発表し、米中貿易摩擦が日本に及ぼす影響を踏まえ、今年の実質経済成長率の見通しを１０月時点の０．９％から０．８％に下方修正した。消費税増税などによる成長減速を回避するため、景気対策を当面維持するよう求めた。
　ＩＭＦは、消費税増税前の駆け込み需要は膨らまなかったと指摘した。また、貿易摩擦や世界経済の減速を念頭に、先行きの「下振れリスクが増大している」と警戒感を示した。
　その上で、増税後の景気対策がなくなれば、緊縮的な財政運営になると懸念。景気の腰折れを防ぐため、「２０２０年、必要なら２１年も追加対策を検討すべきだ」とした。（2019/11/25-16:07）

The International Monetary Fund on Monday downgraded its real-term growth forecast for the Japanese economy for 2019 to 0.8 pct from the 0.9 pct as of October, taking into account the fallout from the U.S.-China trade war.
   In a statement to conclude its annual economic review on Japan, the Washington-based institution said that there was no major last-minute demand before the Oct. 1 consumption tax hike from 8 pct to 10 pct in the country while warning, "Downside risks have increased," in an apparent reference to the U.S.-China trade friction and slowing world economic growth.
   In order to prevent the economy from losing momentum, Japan should consider continuing to take stimulus measures in 2020 and, if needed, in 2021, the IMF said, showing concern that the Japanese government may tighten its fiscal stance after the end of a series of ongoing measures designed to mitigate negative impacts from the tax hike.
   At the same time, the IMF reiterated the importance of Japan continuing efforts to improve its fiscal health. Pointing to the country's increasing fiscal burdens, such as ballooning social security costs reflecting its aging society, the IMF said, "The consumption tax rate would need to increase gradually to 15 pct by 2030 and to 20 pct by 2050."
   The Bank of Japan's accommodative monetary policy stance "should be maintained" to help shore up economic activities and prices in the nation, the IMF said. The central bank aims to raise year-on-year consumer inflation to 2 pct.