Japan’s leading economic index, a forward-looking measure built from indicators such as job offers and consumer sentiment, was 116.4 in June 2026, unchanged from May’s revised reading in preliminary estimates. The level remained the highest since July 2021 even as global conditions stayed uncertain. The reading was supported by the government’s record fiscal budget, which included broad steps to ease cost-of-living pressure and emergency energy support linked to the impact of the Middle East conflict. Labor market signals were also relatively firm: unemployment held at 2.5% in June, its lowest level since July 2025, although employment slipped to a three-month low. Consumer confidence rose to a five-month high, helped by improving expectations for jobs and income growth.