Friday, a report from Japan's Department of Economic and Social Research Institute showed that the household consumer confidence index rose to 28.9 in March from 26.7 in the previous month. Economists were expecting the index to come in at 29. Consumer confidence increased for the third consecutive month in March.
During the month, the index measuring overall livelihood increased to 31.1 from 29.4 in February, while the index of income growth rose to 32 from 31.1. The index of employment climbed to 18.3 from 14.9, while the index measuring the willingness to buy durable goods moved up to 34.2 from 31.4.
Meanwhile, the general consumer confidence index increased to 29.6 in March from 27.6 in February. Economists were expecting the index to be 30.
In March, the household consumer confidence index in Tokyo grew to 31.9 from 28.7 in the previous month.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.