Here is an interesting read via Reuters on the BOJ sifting through less than conventional data sources.
Cites Kazushige Kamiyama, head of the BOJ's research and statistics department.
- "In times of shock, uncertainty over the state of the economy and its outlook heightens. It's like driving without your lights on
- "That's when non-traditional data that gives us quick information, including high-frequency data, become really valuable"
As examples:
- global movements of car-loaded cargo ships
- movement of people around factories
Here is the link for a little more
