Japan’s bank lending rose 5.7% year-on-year in May 2026, exceeding market forecasts for a 5.6% increase and accelerating from a 5.4% gain in the previous month. The latest figure also marked the fastest growth since March 2021, with the total outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks reaching JPY 670.8 trillion. Major banks continued to drive lending growth, with outstanding loans rising 8.7% year-on-year, up from 7.9% in April. Lending by regional banks also increased 4.3%, slightly faster than 4.2% in the previous month, as Regional Banks I accelerated to 4.7% from 4.5%, while Regional Banks II slowed to 2.4% from 3.0%. Shinkin banks, which mainly serve small businesses and local communities, also saw lending growth pick up to 1.7% from 1.5%. source: Bank of Japan

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.70 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan averaged 0.86 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 June of 2026.

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.70 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan is expected to be 5.20 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
2026-05-12 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Apr 5.4% 4.8% 4.6% 5.0%
2026-06-07 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
May 5.7% 5.4% 5.6% 5.2%
2026-07-07 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Jun 5.7% 5.2%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 664363.00 663253.30 JPY Billion May 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 0.33 0.33 percent May 2026
Interest Rate 1.00 0.75 percent Jun 2026
Bank Lending YoY 5.70 5.40 percent May 2026
Loans to Private Sector 591368.50 590733.80 JPY Billion May 2026
Money Supply M0 110181.30 110562.90 JPY Billion May 2026
Money Supply M1 1102935.10 1103467.50 JPY Billion May 2026
Money Supply M2 1298093.20 1295619.00 JPY Billion May 2026
Money Supply M3 1642404.50 1640907.90 JPY Billion May 2026
Purchases of Government Bonds 2497.50 2569.90 JPY Billion May 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
5.70 5.40 6.70 -5.00 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
Japan Bank Lending Growth Strongest Since 2021
Japan’s bank lending rose 5.7% year-on-year in May 2026, exceeding market forecasts for a 5.6% increase and accelerating from a 5.4% gain in the previous month. The latest figure also marked the fastest growth since March 2021, with the total outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks reaching JPY 670.8 trillion. Major banks continued to drive lending growth, with outstanding loans rising 8.7% year-on-year, up from 7.9% in April. Lending by regional banks also increased 4.3%, slightly faster than 4.2% in the previous month, as Regional Banks I accelerated to 4.7% from 4.5%, while Regional Banks II slowed to 2.4% from 3.0%. Shinkin banks, which mainly serve small businesses and local communities, also saw lending growth pick up to 1.7% from 1.5%.
2026-06-07
Japan Bank Lending Growth Highest Since 2021
Japan’s bank lending rose by 5.4% year-on-year in April 2026, surpassing market expectations of a 4.6% increase and accelerating from a 4.8% gain in the previous month. The latest figure also marked the fastest growth since March 2021. Total outstanding loans across major, regional, and shinkin banks reached JPY 671 trillion. Major banks led the expansion with an 8% increase, followed by regional banks at 4.3%. Meanwhile, shinkin banks, local cooperative lenders serving small businesses and communities, saw a more modest 1.6% rise, reflecting weaker credit demand in certain segments of the economy.
2026-05-13
Japan Bank Lending Growth at Near 5-Year High
Japan’s bank lending rose 4.8% yoy in March 2026, slightly accelerating from 4.5% in the prior month and marking the strongest growth since April 2021, while exceeding market expectations of 4.4%. Total outstanding loans across major, regional, and shinkin banks reached JPY 667.0 trillion. Lending growth was driven by major banks, which expanded 6.3%, followed by regional banks (4.3%). In contrast, shinkin banks, local cooperative lenders serving small businesses and communities, grew a more modest 1.4%, pointing to softer credit demand in parts of the economy.
2026-04-10