AI Data Insight
According to the latest data, the real average expenditure on non-durable goods per household in Japan fell by 2.5% year-over-year in Q2 2026, matching the decline of the previous quarter (Q1 2026) and indicating continued weakness in the consumer market. Although Japan's real wages have recently seen positive growth, the long-term accumulation of price increases and the phase-out of subsidies have led people to turn to "defensive consumption," drastically reducing daily expenses such as food and clothing.