Has the U.S. economy begun its soft landing?

9/17Announced8month U.S. retail sales, industrial productionIndex,9monthHousingMarketIndex exceeded market expectations across the board, underscoring the firmness of the U.S. economy.9/18FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee)is seen as likely to cut ratesat the meeting,but this is not a response to concerns about a U.S. recession, rather apreemptive easing to prepare for possible future economic slowdown.By comparing the monetary policy stances of the U.S. and Japan,wewill forecast the future direction of USD/JPY.