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. source: Cabinet Office, Japan

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 118 in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan averaged 102.84 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 October of 2026.

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 118 in August 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
2026-09-29 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Jul 117.7 116.2 117.9 117.9
2026-10-07 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Prel
Aug 118.0 117.6 118.1 117.5
2026-10-26 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Aug 117.6 118.0 118.0


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 118.70 120.60 points Aug 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Current 47.00 46.40 points Sep 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook 47.40 48.30 points Sep 2026
Leading Economic Index 118.00 117.60 Points Aug 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
118.00 117.60 119.90 80.40 1985 - 2026 Points Monthly
2020=100, NSA

News Stream
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
Japan Leading Index Revised Slightly Downward
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, was revised lower to 117.7 in July 2026 from a preliminary estimate of 117.9, after reaching 116.2 in June. Still, 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, while inflation remained close to the BOJ’s 2% target. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate declined to 2.4% in July, its lowest level since July 2025, pointing to resilient labor market conditions, although employment was at a four-month low. Consumer confidence also improved to a six-month high, amid households’ stronger views of their overall livelihood.
2026-09-29
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 117.9 in July 2026 from a downwardly revised 116.2 in June, but below the market forecasts 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, while inflation remained close to the BOJ’s 2% target. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate declined to 2.4% in July, its lowest level since July 2025, pointing to resilient labor market conditions, although employment was at a four-month low. Consumer confidence also improved to a six-month high, amid households’ stronger views on overall livelihood.
2026-09-07