Japan’s GDP private consumption growth ground to a halt in the second quarter of 2026, with quarter‑on‑quarter growth registering 0.0%, according to data updated on 16 August 2026. This marks a clear slowdown from the first quarter of 2026, when private consumption rose 0.5% compared with the previous quarter.
The figures highlight a loss of momentum in household spending, a key driver of Japan’s economic activity. On a quarter‑over‑quarter basis, the “actual” reading for the second quarter shows no change in private consumption relative to the first quarter, whereas the “previous” reading reflected a moderate expansion from the quarter before that. The stagnation in consumer outlays raises questions about the durability of Japan’s domestic demand as the economy moves into the second half of 2026.