Japan’s bank lending rose by 5.4% year-on-year in August 2026, falling short of market expectations for a 5.5% gain and unchanged from the previous month. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 680.3 trillion, up from JPY 679.2 trillion in July. Lending at major and regional banks increased 5.8%, easing from 5.9% in July, with major-bank lending growth steady at 7.9%, while regional-bank lending slowed to 4.1% from 4.2%. Within regional banks, lending growth accelerated to 4.6% for regional banks I from 4.5%, while growth at regional banks II eased to 2.0% from 2.4%. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks accelerated to 2.0% from 1.9%, marking its strongest growth since early 2023. Foreign-bank lending growth also remained strong at 25.6%, though easing from 28.3% in July. source: Bank of Japan

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.40 percent in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan averaged 0.91 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 6.70 percent in August of 2020 and a record low of -5.00 percent in October of 2002. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Bank Lending - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Bank Lending - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.40 percent in August of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan is expected to be 5.40 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Bank Lending is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2027 and 5.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-09 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Jul 5.4% 5.7% 5.7% 5.5%
2026-09-07 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Aug 5.4% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5%
2026-10-12 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Sep 5.4% 5.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 644662.00 644295.70 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 0.43 0.40 percent Sep 2026
Interest Rate 1.25 1.00 percent Sep 2026
Bank Lending YoY 5.40 5.40 percent Aug 2026
Loans to Private Sector 600305.50 598921.90 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M0 109898.00 109915.10 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M1 1087467.80 1091486.30 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M2 1296389.50 1296639.40 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M3 1639987.80 1640869.80 JPY Billion Aug 2026
Purchases of Government Bonds 2317.20 2321.20 JPY Billion Sep 2026


Japan Bank Lending
In Japan, bank lending refers to the year-on-year change of all outstanding loans and discounts with banks and shinkin banks. Lending increases with increased business confidence and investment and it is an important indicator for the Japanese economy because of the weakness that has plagued the Japanese banking sector.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.40 5.40 6.70 -5.00 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
Japan Bank Lending Growth Holds Steady in August
Japan’s bank lending rose by 5.4% year-on-year in August 2026, falling short of market expectations for a 5.5% gain and unchanged from the previous month. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 680.3 trillion, up from JPY 679.2 trillion in July. Lending at major and regional banks increased 5.8%, easing from 5.9% in July, with major-bank lending growth steady at 7.9%, while regional-bank lending slowed to 4.1% from 4.2%. Within regional banks, lending growth accelerated to 4.6% for regional banks I from 4.5%, while growth at regional banks II eased to 2.0% from 2.4%. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks accelerated to 2.0% from 1.9%, marking its strongest growth since early 2023. Foreign-bank lending growth also remained strong at 25.6%, though easing from 28.3% in July.
2026-09-08
Japan Bank Lending Growth Eases in July
Japan’s bank lending rose 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing from a five-year high of 5.7% increase in the previous month. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 679.2 trillion, up from JPY 679.0 trillion in June. Lending at major and regional banks increased 5.9%, easing from 6.2% in June, with major-bank lending growth slowing to 8.0% from 8.6%, while regional-bank lending remained unchanged at 4.2%. Within regional banks, lending growth was steady at 4.6% for regional banks I and 2.4% for regional banks II. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks accelerated to 1.9% from 1.7%, marking the strongest growth since early 2023.
2026-08-10
Japan Bank Lending Growth Holds at 5-Year High
Japan’s bank lending rose 5.7% year-on-year in June 2026, falling slightly short of market forecasts for a 5.8% increase and matching May’s pace. The reading remained the strongest since March 2021, with outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks reaching JPY 676.1 trillion, up from JPY 670.8 trillion in May. Lending at major and regional banks accelerated to 6.3%, marking the fastest growth since August 2020, driven by stronger credit demand for mergers and acquisitions, real estate investment, and the ongoing economic recovery. Outstanding loans at major banks rose 8.7% from 8.6%, while regional banks saw lending growth edge up to 4.3% from 4.2%. The Bank of Japan said the solid lending growth reinforced its view that financial conditions remain accommodative despite recent interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks, which primarily serve small businesses and local communities, was unchanged at 1.7% year-on-year.
2026-07-08