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. source: Cabinet Office, Japan

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 114 in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan averaged 102.79 Points from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 120.20 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 May of 2026.

Leading Economic Index Japan increased to 114 in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Leading Economic Index in Japan is expected to be 107.00 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 117.00 Points in 2027 and 115.00 Points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-12 05:00 AM
Leading Economic Index Prel
Mar 114.5 113.2 114.6 109
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 114.0 114.3 113.7


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
BSI Large Manufacturing 3.80 4.70 percent Mar 2026
Changes in Inventories -1738.50 -1406.50 JPY Billion Mar 2026
Coincident Index 116.40 116.20 points Mar 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Current 40.80 42.20 points Apr 2026
Eco Watchers Survey Outlook 39.40 38.70 points Apr 2026
Leading Economic Index 114.00 113.20 Points Mar 2026
Machinery Orders MoM -9.40 13.60 percent Mar 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
114.00 113.20 120.20 80.40 1985 - 2026 Points Monthly
2020=100, NSA

News Stream
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
Japan Leading Economic Index Revised Upward
Japan’s leading economic index, which gauges the outlook for the months ahead using indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, was revised higher to 113.3 in February 2026 from 112.4 in the preliminary estimates and up from dowanwardly revised 112.0 in the previous month. However, the latest reading remained its highest level since August 2022, underscoring a gradual improvement in the economic outlook. Labor market strength persisted, with the unemployment rate declining to 2.6% from January’s 1.5-year high, while employment rose by 10 thousand to 68.27 million. Consumer confidence was also boosted by Tokyo’s large-scale stimulus program designed to bolster household spending and stabilize growth, though cost pressures intensified due to rising fuel prices driven by the impact of the Iran war.
2026-04-27