Japan’s economic data a mixed bag

TOKYO — The state of Japan’s economic recovery remains murky, with inflation still nearly flat in May despite unprecedented monetary stimulus, though joblessness was flat at 3.3 per cent and household spending rose for the first time in over a year. The data released Friday followed relatively weak indicators that have showed softening demand and slowing industrial production. Economists say the world’s third-largest economy slowed or possibly contracted in the April-June quarter.