Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for economic activity in the coming months using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, slipped to 116.4 in September 2026 from a final 118.0 in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It marked the lowest reading since June, reflecting the lingering effects of recent natural disasters and concerns over persistent price pressures, partly driven by elevated oil prices and supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions. These cost pressures persisted despite government efforts to ease the burden on households through a record budget package earlier this year. Meanwhile, consumer confidence was little changed in the month, while the jobless rate edged down, pointing to relatively stable household sentiment and a modest improvement in labor market conditions despite elevated living costs. source: Cabinet Office, Japan

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 116.40 in September of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan averaged 102.87 Points from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 119.90 Points in November of 2013 and a record low of 80.40 Points in July of 1986. This page provides - Japan Leading Composite Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Japan Leading Economic Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 116.40 in September of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan is expected to be 115.00 Points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Leading Economic Index is projected to trend around 110.00 Points in 2027 and 115.00 Points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-10-26 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Aug 118.0 117.6 118.0 118.0
2026-11-09 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Prel
Sep 116.4 118.0 116.7 117
2026-11-26 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Sep 118.0 116.4


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
BSI Large Manufacturing 7.60 -1.80 percent Sep 2026
Changes in Inventories -2408.50 -1742.10 JPY Billion Jun 2026
Coincident Index 119.50 118.80 points Sep 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Current 46.10 47.00 points Oct 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook 46.50 47.40 points Oct 2026
Leading Economic Index 116.40 118.00 Points Sep 2026
Machinery Orders MoM 5.20 -3.70 percent Aug 2026
New Orders 1208.76 1279.73 JPY Billion Aug 2026


Japan Leading Economic Index
In Japan, the Leading Composite Index consists of 12 indexes such as account inventory ratios, machinery orders, stock prices and other leading economic indicators. The index anticipates changes in the direction of the Japanese economy in the coming months. In general, increase in the index reflects that the economy is in an expansion phase, and decreasing coincident index reflects that the economy is in a contraction phase. The index is used to make official judgement on when the business cycle begins and ends.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
116.40 118.00 119.90 80.40 1985 - 2026 Points Monthly
2020=100, NSA

News Stream
Japan Leading Index Falls to 3-Month Low
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for economic activity in the coming months using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, slipped to 116.4 in September 2026 from a final 118.0 in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It marked the lowest reading since June, reflecting the lingering effects of recent natural disasters and concerns over persistent price pressures, partly driven by elevated oil prices and supply disruptions linked to Middle East tensions. These cost pressures persisted despite government efforts to ease the burden on households through a record budget package earlier this year. Meanwhile, consumer confidence was little changed in the month, while the jobless rate edged down, pointing to relatively stable household sentiment and a modest improvement in labor market conditions despite elevated living costs.
2026-11-09
Japan Leading Index Confirmed at Over 12-Year High
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for economic activity in the coming months using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, rose to 118.0 in August 2026, matching the preliminary estimate and following a final reading of 117.6 in July. It was the highest level since January 2014, supported by the government’s record fiscal budget, which included comprehensive measures to ease cost-of-living pressures and emergency energy support to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict. Consumer confidence weakened slightly in August, remaining close to a six-month high, amid improved household views of income growth and employment prospects. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged up in August from July’s 12-month low, while employment increased by 300,000, pointing to resilient labor market conditions. However, inflation in September was the highest since December 2025, while core inflation exceeded the BoJ’s 2% target for the first time in nine months.
2026-10-26
Japan Leading Index Highest Since 2014
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for economic activity in the coming months using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, increased to 118.0 in August 2026 from a marginally revised 117.6 in July, slightly below expectations of 118.1, preliminary estimates showed. It was the highest level since January 2014, supported by the government’s record fiscal budget, which included comprehensive measures to ease cost-of-living pressures and emergency energy support to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict. However, inflation remained close to the BOJ’s 2% target. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged up from July’s 12-month low, while employment increased by 300,000, pointing to resilient labor market conditions. Consumer confidence weakened slightly, remaining close to a six-month high, amid households’ improved views of their income growth and employment prospects.
2026-10-07