FX.co ★ Japan Bank Lending Growth Strongest Since 2021

In December 2025, bank lending in Japan experienced a 4.4% increase, surpassing the 4.1% gains seen in the previous month, November, which had been adjusted downward, and outperforming market predictions of a 4.1% rise. This represents the most significant growth since April 2021. Total outstanding loans for major, regional, and shinkin banks jointly reached ¥660.6 trillion. The major banks spearheaded this growth with a 5.7% jump, followed by regional banks with a 4.1% increase. In contrast, shinkin banks, which are local cooperative lenders that support small businesses and communities, exhibited a comparatively marginal growth of 1.4%, indicating lower credit demand in specific segments of the economy.