Japan Reuters Tankan Index

The Reuters Tankan index for Japanese manufacturers fell to +7 in January 2026 from +10 in December, marking its weakest reading in six months as slowing demand from major economies weighed on materials heavy industries. Oil and ceramics saw one of the sharpest deteriorations, with sentiment dropping to zero, while steel slid deeper into negative territory and chemicals confidence also weakened. Firms pointed to subdued conditions across key export markets, with one steelmaker citing weaker Chinese demand for automotive related products. Others flagged softer consumer spending in the US and China, alongside the drag from tariffs on exports. Meanwhile, sentiment in autos and electronic machinery slipped only modestly, indicating parts of Japan’s industrial base remain more resilient than materials producers that are more exposed to the global cycle. Looking ahead, manufacturers expect confidence to recover to +10 by April.