Japan consumer confidence rises to 34.9 in July 2026, tops forecasts
Japan's consumer confidence rose for a third straight month, beating forecasts as sentiment improved across key categories and the Cabinet Office upgraded its assessment to say conditions are showing signs of a pickup.
Japan's consumer confidence index climbed to 34.9 in July 2026 from 33.8 in June, beating market expectations of 34.2 and marking a third consecutive monthly gain. The Cabinet Office upgraded its overall assessment to "showing signs of a pickup" from "weakening," the first upward revision in about one year and five months since February 2024. The gain was broad-based, with households reporting stronger views on overall livelihood, income growth, employment prospects and willingness to purchase durable goods. Inflation expectations remained elevated but continued to ease, suggesting sentiment is recovering as some near-term price pressures moderate.
- Consumer confidence index: A survey-based measure of how households view current and future economic conditions, often used as a signal for consumer spending trends.