Japan’s Tankan Big Manufacturing Outlook Index edged down in the first quarter of 2026, signaling a modest cooling in sentiment among major manufacturers. The index slipped to 14 in Q1 2026, compared with 15 in the previous reading for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Although the decline is marginal, the lower reading points to a slight deterioration in confidence within Japan’s large manufacturing sector. The updated figures, released on 31 March 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers for indications of how resilient Japan’s industrial outlook remains as the year progresses.
