Japan’s capacity utilization growth slowed markedly in July 2026, suggesting a moderation in industrial activity after a strong early-summer surge. According to the latest data updated on 14 September 2026, capacity utilization rose 0.5% month-over-month in July, down from a 4.1% increase in June.
The figures are based on a month-over-month comparison, where the July reading is measured against June, and June’s 4.1% gain was measured against May. The sharp deceleration from June’s robust expansion to July’s modest rise indicates that while Japan’s industrial sector is still expanding, the pace of growth has cooled noticeably as the third quarter begins.
