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Japan’s coincident economic index rose to 119.5 in September 2026 from a final 118.8 in the previous month, which had marked a three-month low, flash data showed. The index, which tracks current economic conditions, pointed to a relatively fading impact from recent natural disasters, although disruptions linked to Middle East tensions persisted. The economy continued to recover moderately, supported by improving employment and income conditions. Business investment also strengthened, though firms remained cautious about the outlook. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan raised its key short-term policy rate by 25bps to 1.25% in September, its highest level since April 1995, amid persistent inflationary pressures, including elevated oil prices. The central bank also signaled the possibility of further rate hikes, citing still-accommodative financial conditions.

Japan’s coincident economic index rose slightly to 118.8 in August 2026 from a flash estimate of 118.7, but fell from 120.6 in the previous month, marking the lowest reading since May. The index, which tracks current economic conditions, reflected the impact of natural disasters and disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. Despite this, the economy continued to recover moderately, supported by improving employment and income conditions, government measures boosting private consumption, and stronger business investment. However, firms remained cautious about the outlook. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan held its short-term policy rate at 1.0% in July, the highest since September 1995, while signaling scope for further hikes as underlying inflation approaches its 2% target and financial conditions remain accommodative.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index edged down to 134.3 in September 2026 from 135.1 in August, but stayed near its highest level since June 2011. The chamber noted that rising energy costs remained a key concern for businesses by pushing up operating expenses and putting pressure on profitability. Local gasoline prices climbed to a fresh record in October, placing households and businesses under renewed strain. However, higher precious-metal prices, together with stronger tourism activity and vehicle sales, helped support business confidence compared with a year earlier.

Japan’s coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators including industrial production, employment and retail sales, fell to 118.7 in August 2026 from a final 120.6 in the prior month, preliminary data showed. The reading was the lowest since May, reflecting the impact of natural disasters and disruptions stemming from the situation in the Middle East. Despite the monthly decline, the economy continued to recover moderately, supported by improving employment and income conditions and recent government policy measures that boosted private consumption. Business investment also picked up, although firms remained cautious about the outlook. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate at 1.0% in July, the highest since September 1995, while signaling scope for further rate hikes as underlying inflation approaches 2% and financial conditions remain supportive.

Japan’s coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators including industrial production, employment and retail sales, stood at 120.6 in July 2026, matching the flash reading and reaching its highest level since October 2018. The result pointed to a solid recovery in economic activity, supported by government measures to contain fuel and oil price increases linked to Middle East tensions, alongside a new fiscal policy framework aimed at balancing growth with budget sustainability. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate at 1.0% in July, its highest level since September 1995, while judging risks to economic activity to be broadly balanced.

Japan's coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, rose to 120.6 in July 2026 from a final 118.9 in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It was the highest reading since October 2018, pointing to a solid recovery in economic activity, supported in part by government measures to curb fuel and oil price spikes amid Middle East tensions, as well as a new fiscal policy framework aimed at balancing growth with budget sustainability. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate at 1.0% in July, its highest level since September 1995, while judging risks to economic activity to be broadly balanced.

Japan's coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, stood at 118.5 in June 2025, exceeding flash data of 118.2 and marking the highest reading since May 2019. The latest result followed May's 117.9, reflecting o a continued moderate economic recovery. Private consumption improved, with employment and income conditions supporting household spending, and consumer sentiment stabilising. External demand also strengthened, as exports grew amid subdued imports, although the outlook remained uncertain due to developments in the Middle East and other global risks. Fiscal policy continued to support the economy following Japan's approval of a second consecutive record-high state budget. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan kept an accommodative policy stance despite raising its short-term policy rate by 25bps to 1.0% in June, the highest level since September 1995.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index rose to 125.4 in July 2026, the highest reading since March, up from 123.5 in June. Higher new vehicle sales, stronger merchandise export volumes and lower energy prices supported the improvement, while higher inflation and lower precious metal prices weighed on business confidence. Sacci added that the number of foreign travellers to South Africa remained a positive factor despite short-term instability linked to the Middle East conflict. “The continuing war in the Middle East and its destabilizing effect on the crude oil price as well as its impact on the supply of fuel are weighing on global economic prospects,” the chamber noted.

Japan's coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, edged up to 118.2 in June 2026 from 117.9 in the prior month, preliminary data showed. The reading was the highest since May 2019, pointing to a continued moderate economic recovery. Private consumption strengthened as improving employment and income conditions supported household spending, while consumer sentiment showed signs of stabilizing. External demand also improved, with exports rising amid subdued imports, although the outlook remained uncertain due to developments in the Middle East and other global risks. Fiscal policy continued to underpin the economy following Japan's approval of a second consecutive record-high state budget. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan maintained an accommodative policy stance despite raising its short-term policy rate by 25bps to 1.0% in June, the highest level since September 1995.

Japan's coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic conditions based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, was revised down to 117.9 in May 2026 from a preliminary reading of 118.5. The latest figure was also slightly below April's 118.1, signaling a modest loss of economic momentum. The slowdown reflected the impact of heightened Middle East tensions, which weighed on business activity and trade. Exports and imports were broadly flat during the month, while industrial production stagnated and housing construction weakened. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved from its lowest in a year amid resilient private consumption, supported by Japan's record-high fiscal 2026 budget. On the monetary front, the Bank of Japan left its short-term policy rate unchanged at 0.75% in April while raising its inflation outlook, citing higher energy costs and persistent underlying price pressures.

Japan's coincident economic index, a key gauge of current economic activity based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, rose to 118.5 in May 2026 from a final 118.1 in the prior month, preliminary data showed. It was the highest level since May 2019, boosted by continued resilience in domestic conditions. Private consumption showed signs of strengthening, due to improving employment and income conditions, while exports and imports were broadly unchanged, reflecting cautious business sentiment amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Fiscal support also remained robust following the approval of a record-high budget for fiscal 2026, marking a second straight year of record spending despite risks stemming from tensions in the Middle East. On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate unchanged at 0.75% in April while raising its inflation outlook, citing higher energy costs and persistent underlying price pressures.

Japan’s coincident economic index, a key measure of current activity based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, rose to 118.1 in April 2026, above the preliminary figure of 117.9 and March’s 116.8. The reading marked the highest level since May 2019, pointing to resilient economic output despite lingering uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict. Domestic demand remained solid, supported by improving employment and income conditions, though consumer confidence softened. Meanwhile, both exports and imports were broadly unchanged, reflecting cautious business sentiment amid geopolitical risks and persistent trade-related uncertainties. On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate unchanged at 0.75% in April while raising its inflation outlook, citing higher energy costs and continued price pressures.

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) business confidence index rose to 124.1 in May 2026 from a seven-month low of 123.6 in the prior month. The improvement was attributed to higher new vehicle sales and stronger merchandise exports, with imports contributing to a lesser extent, as companies tried to adjust to the oil price shock from the Middle East conflict. Conversely, the chamber noted that a decline in overseas tourist arrivals had a substantial negative impact on the index, while rising inflation remained a concern for businesses.

Japan’s coincident economic index, a gauge of current economic activity based on indicators such as industrial production, employment, and retail sales, rose to 117.9 in April 2026 from an upwardly revised 116.8 in the previous month, preliminary data showed. It was the highest reading since January, signaling that the economy continued to recover at a moderate pace despite heightened uncertainty from the conflict in the Middle East. Domestic demand remained resilient, supported by improving employment and income conditions, although consumer sentiment showed signs of softening. Both exports and imports were broadly flat, reflecting caution among businesses amid geopolitical tensions and ongoing trade-related challenges. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate at 0.75% in April, while lifting its inflation forecasts due to higher energy costs.

Japan’s coincident economic index, which tracks activity in areas such as factory output, employment, and retail sales, stood at 116.4 in March 2026, a bit lower than the flash estimate of 116.5 but higher than 116.2 in the previous month. The latest result pointed to a modest improvement in economic conditions, although risks continued to build from the Middle East conflict and uncertainty over U.S. trade policies. Domestic demand remained resilient, supported by steady gains in private consumption and business investment. However, exports and industrial output were largely flat, highlighting softer external demand and cautious business sentiment. On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan left its short-term interest rate unchanged at 0.75% in March. Still, policymakers indicated there is room for another rate hike if economic activity and inflation evolve in line with the central bank’s projections.

Japan’s coincident economic index, which tracks activity in areas such as factory output, employment, and retail sales, edged up to 116.5 in March 2026 from a marginally revised 116.2 in the prior month, according to flash data. The reading pointed to a modest improvement in economic conditions, despite mounting risks from the Middle East conflict and lingering uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies. Domestic demand remained resilient, supported by continued gains in private consumption and business investment. However, exports and industrial production were flat in the month, reflecting softer external demand and cautious corporate sentiment. On the monetary policy front, the Bank of Japan maintained its short-term interest rate at 0.75% in March. However, policymakers continued to signal the possibility of another rate hike if economic activity and inflation evolve in line with the central bank’s projections.

Japan’s coincident economic index, which tracks factory output, employment, and retail sales, stood at 116.3 in February 2026, matching flash data but down from an upwardly revised 118.1 in January, which had marked the highest since May 2019. The decline highlighted lingering external headwinds from U.S. trade policies and financial market volatility, even as the domestic economy recovers at a moderate pace. Meanwhile, business sentiment remained broadly flat, weighed by weak industrial production and exports, though improving employment and income conditions lent support to consumption, offsetting softer household sentiment. On the monetary front, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term rate at 0.75% in January, but signaled further hikes could be warranted if its outlook for activity and prices holds.

Japan’s coincident economic index, which tracks factory output, employment, and retail sales, fell to 116.3 in February 2026 from a final 117.9 in the previous month, when it marked its highest level since May 2019, according to flash data. The decline pointed to lingering external headwinds, particularly from U.S. trade policies and volatility in financial and capital markets, even as the domestic economy continues to recover at a moderate pace. Meantime, business sentiment remained broadly flat, reflecting weak industrial production and exports. Still, improving employment and income conditions helped support consumption, offsetting softer household sentiment. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan kept its short-term policy rate unchanged at 0.75% in January. However, it signaled that further rate hikes could be appropriate if its outlook for activity and prices materializes.

Japan’s coincident economic index, which tracks factory output, employment, and retail sales, stood at 117.9 in January 2026, higher than a preliminary reading of 116.8 and an upwardly revised 114.5 in the prior month. The reading hit its highest level since May 2019, signaling a moderate pickup in economic activity. The effects of recent U.S. trade policies were felt most acutely in the automotive sector, while other industries showed greater resilience. Employment and income gains supported household consumption, and business investment began to recover despite lingering cost pressures. On the policy front, the Bank of Japan left its short-term rate unchanged at 0.75% at its first meeting of 2026. In its quarterly outlook, the board lifted its FY2025 GDP growth forecast to 0.9% from 0.7%, citing momentum from a new trade deal with Washington and Tokyo’s sizable stimulus package.