Japan’s Reuters Tankan Index Climbs to 18 in March, Signaling Stronger Business Sentiment

Japan’s Reuters Tankan Index rose to 18 in March 2026, up from 13 in the previous reading, indicating a further improvement in business sentiment. The latest figure, updated on 17 March 2026, suggests that corporate confidence in Japan has strengthened over the period.

The move from 13 to 18 points to a more optimistic outlook among surveyed firms, reflecting a continued shift toward positive expectations for economic conditions. While the index remains a snapshot of sentiment rather than hard activity data, the March reading underscores that Japanese businesses are increasingly upbeat about the near-term environment.