AI Data Insight
According to the latest data, the year-over-year growth rate of real expenditure on goods for Japanese households with two or more people narrowed to 0.1% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing significantly compared to the previous value of 2.3% but still maintaining positive growth. Although overall household spending fell into decline due to price pressures, demand for replacing durable goods like air conditioners and stockpiling daily necessities—driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East and inflation expectations—has become the defense line supporting goods consumption. Looking ahead, whether real wage growth can offset the pressures from subsidy withdrawals and imported inflation will be the key to a full consumption recovery.