Oil is definitely a factor, ... People are concerned about its impact not just on growth here, but on global growth.

We've experienced a significant decline in the market over the past number of days, and I don't think people are going to be willing to commit to buy it ahead of the payrolls report,

Most of the production growth now is from gas, and gas is at a much lower price than oil.

The drop in oil prices appears to be due to continued growth in domestic oil inventories. In addition, there is a realization that efforts to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions may be protracted over many months and an industry belief that they are unlikely to suspend their oil shipments any time soon.

The drop in oil prices appears to be to be due to continued growth in domestic oil inventories. In addition, there is a realization that efforts to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions may be protracted over many months and an industry belief that they are unlikely to suspend their oil shipments any time soon.

Aside from the effects of high oil prices, growth in imports in general can be interpreted as a sign that domestic demand is robust, another reason to say the Japanese economy is on the right track.