Japan’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding 1.1% year-on-year, down from a revised 1.9% increase recorded in the first quarter of 2026. The latest data, updated as of 16 August 2026, indicate a moderation in the pace of expansion compared with earlier in the year.
Both the current and previous figures are measured on a year-over-year basis, comparing each quarter’s performance with the same period a year earlier. While the economy continued to grow in Q2, the weaker reading suggests a loss of momentum after a stronger start to the year, and may prompt closer scrutiny from policymakers and investors tracking Japan’s growth trajectory into the second half of 2026.