Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for the months ahead using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, rose to 115.9 in April 2026 from an upwardly revised 115.4 in the previous month, exceeding market forecasts of 114.3, preliminary estimates showed. It was the highest reading since December 2021, underscoring a gradual improvement in the economic outlook. Tokyo’s large-scale stimulus program, designed to bolster household spending and stabilize growth, helped lift the index compared to March despite intensifying cost pressures caused by rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict. As a result, retail sales grew at the fastest pace since April 2025. Meanwhile, the labor market improved, with the unemployment rate declining to 2.5%, the lowest since July 2025, and employment surging to a record high of 68.76 million. Consumer confidence also strengthened to its highest level in three months. source: Cabinet Office, Japan

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 115.90 in April of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan averaged 102.67 Points from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 119.80 Points in November of 2013 and a record low of 80.30 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 June of 2026.

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 115.90 in April of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan is expected to be 114.00 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
2026-05-26 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Mar 114.0 113.2 114.5 114.5
2026-06-05 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Prel
Apr 115.9 115.4 114.3 113.7
2026-06-25 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Apr 115.4 115.9 115.9


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
BSI Large Manufacturing -1.80 3.80 percent Jun 2026
Changes in Inventories -1847.00 -1482.20 JPY Billion Mar 2026
Coincident Index 117.90 116.80 points Apr 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Current 43.60 40.80 points May 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook 40.70 39.40 points May 2026
Leading Economic Index 115.90 115.40 Points Apr 2026
Machinery Orders MoM 8.70 -9.40 percent Apr 2026
New Orders 1177.64 1254.29 JPY Billion Mar 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
115.90 115.40 119.80 80.30 1985 - 2026 Points Monthly
2020=100, NSA

News Stream
Japan Leading Index Highest Since 2021
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for the months ahead using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, rose to 115.9 in April 2026 from an upwardly revised 115.4 in the previous month, exceeding market forecasts of 114.3, preliminary estimates showed. It was the highest reading since December 2021, underscoring a gradual improvement in the economic outlook. Tokyo’s large-scale stimulus program, designed to bolster household spending and stabilize growth, helped lift the index compared to March despite intensifying cost pressures caused by rising fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict. As a result, retail sales grew at the fastest pace since April 2025. Meanwhile, the labor market improved, with the unemployment rate declining to 2.5%, the lowest since July 2025, and employment surging to a record high of 68.76 million. Consumer confidence also strengthened to its highest level in three months.
2026-06-05
Japan Leading Index Revised Downward
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for the months ahead using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, was revised lower to 114.0 in March 2026 from 114.5 in the preliminary estimate. However, the latest reading was higher than February’s 113.2 and remained the highest level since August 2021, underscoring a gradual improvement in the economic outlook. Tokyo’s large-scale stimulus program, designed to bolster household spending and stabilize growth, helped lift the index compared to February despite intensifying cost pressures caused by rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. As a result, retail sales rebounded in March after declining in February. However, the labor market eased, with the unemployment rate rising to 2.7%, and employment falling by 120 thousand to an 11-month low of 65.15 million. Consumer confidence also weakened to its lowest level since April 2025.
2026-05-26
Japan Leading Economic Index Rises to Near 4-Year High
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for the months ahead using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, increased to 114.5 in March 2026 from a slightly downwardly revised 113.2 in the previous month, preliminary estimates showed. It was the highest level since April 2022, underscoring a gradual improvement in the economic outlook. Tokyo’s large-scale stimulus program, designed to bolster household spending and stabilize growth, helped lift the index despite intensifying cost pressures caused by rising fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. As a result, retail sales rebounded in March after declining in February. However, the labor market eased, with the unemployment rate rising to 2.7%, and employment falling by 120 thousand to an 11-month low of 65.15 million. Consumer confidence also weakened to its lowest level since April 2025.
2026-05-12