In the US, Personal Spending, monthly value of all consumer’s inflation-adjusted, is about to rise by 0.1% up to 0.2%. And similar rise is predicted in the Personal Income of 0.3% up to 0.4%.

Last week The Bank of Japan maintained its interest rate at 0-0.10% and did not alter its 55 trillion yen quantitative easing program announcing that Japan’s economic growth is flat amid a slowdown in foreign markets. However Retail sales climbed 2.5% better than predicted following 2.2% fall in the previous month indicating some improvement in the market. Will this week bring more encouraging news?

In the US, The Conference Board (CB) Consumer Confidence, Financial confidence is a leading indicator of consumer spending Survey to value the consumer spending and rate the total financial situation, due to rise from 56.0 points  on November up to 58.5 points now.

Last week Japan’s central bank released its monetary policy statement announcing the continuation of the current easy monetary policy in light of the growing concerns over European debt problems and the strong yen. The BOJ decided to leave its key interest rate near zero and continue to provide liquidity to the markets through government bonds. Will the Japanese economy improve in 2012?

In the US, The Conference Board (CB) Consumer Confidence, monthly survey to rate the present and upcoming financial conditions with labor availability etc., rise is expected from 39.8 on October up to 43.8 this time.

Last week a certain setback in Japan’s ongoing recovery was felt this week with disappointing trade balance deficit of 0.46T, falling below expectations and Tokyo Core CPI decreased by 0.5% while 0.3% drop was expected. Will the European crisis and strong yen continue to cloud Japan’s recovery?

In the US, Unemployment Claims, weekly report to value the unemployment that filed for insurance, is about to rise by 1K up to 404K this week.

Last week signs of a slowdown were seen in the Japanese economy with All industries activity index dropping by 0.5% more than the 0.2% decline anticipated and Revised industrial production index gained 0.6% less than the 0.8% predicted. Will this trend continue?

In the US, Unemployment Claims, weekly measurement of the persons that filed for unemployment cover, reduces from 423K on the last week to 420K this time.

Last week a Big sigh of relief in Japan following Bernanke’ announcement of “Operation Twist” resulting in USD/JPY rises taming the high yen problem which threatens Japanese exports. Will this move help to further control the yen?