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. source: Cabinet Office, Japan

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 117.90 in July of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan averaged 102.81 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 September of 2026.

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 117.90 in July of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan is expected to be 117.00 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
2026-08-25 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Jun 116.5 116.5 116.4 114
2026-09-07 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Prel
Jul 117.9 116.2 118.1 116.8
2026-09-29 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Final
Jul 116.2 117.9 117.9


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
BSI Large Manufacturing -1.80 3.80 percent Jun 2026
Changes in Inventories -2408.50 -1742.10 JPY Billion Jun 2026
Coincident Index 120.60 118.90 points Jul 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Current 46.40 45.70 points Aug 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook 48.30 45.80 points Aug 2026
Leading Economic Index 117.90 116.20 Points Jul 2026
Machinery Orders MoM 9.70 -12.40 percent Jun 2026
New Orders 1275.80 1687.06 JPY Billion Jun 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
117.90 116.20 119.90 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 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
Japan Leading Index Revised Slightly Upward
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 slightly higher to 116.5 in June 2026 from 116.4 in the preliminary estimate, unchanged from an upwardly revised figure in May. The reading remained at its highest level since July 2021, 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. Meanwhile, unemployment stood at 2.5% in June, remaining at its lowest level since July 2025, pointing to resilient labor market conditions, though employment was at its three-month low. Consumer confidence also improved to a five-month high, amid optimism about employment prospects and income growth.
2026-08-25
Japan Leading Index Holds Near 5-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, stood at 116.4 in June 2026, unchanged from May’s revised figure, amid uncertain global conditions, according to preliminary estimates. The reading remained the highest level since July 2021, 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. Meanwhile, unemployment stood at 2.5% in June, remaining at its lowest level since July 2025, pointing to resilient labor market conditions, though employment was at its three-month low. Consumer confidence also improved to a five-month high, amid optimism about employment prospects and income growth.
2026-08-07