In a modest sign of economic resilience, Japan's Tankan Small Non-Manufacturing Index has inched up to a score of 15 in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data updated on 14 December 2025. This marks a one-point rise from the previous quarter's score of 14, highlighting a slow yet steady improvement in sentiment among smaller businesses within the non-manufacturing sector.
The Tankan survey, one of Japan's most closely watched economic indicators conducted by the Bank of Japan, reflects the confidence and business environment perceptions among small enterprises. The increase, though slight, suggests a buoyant mood among service-oriented sectors amid broader market uncertainties.
This uptick could be interpreted as a positive signal for Japan's economic landscape, which has been contending with global economic challenges. Economists and investors will likely scrutinize upcoming data to evaluate whether this trend persists and if it could mark a longer-term recovery within the non-manufacturing segment.
