Japan Reuters Tankan Index

The Reuters Tankan index for Japanese manufacturers dropped to +8 in October 2025 from a three-year high of +13 in September, marking the first decline in four months as firms faced pressure from US tariffs, rising costs, and sluggish overseas demand. Among nine manufacturing sectors surveyed, five reported weaker confidence. The auto and transport machinery sector saw the sharpest drop, with its index plunging to +9 from +33. The industry, which made up about one-third of exports to the United States last year and employs around 8% of Japan’s workforce, has been hit by 15% US tariffs under the trade deal with the Trump administration. Persistent increases in raw material, labor, and energy costs also weighed on sentiment. The index is projected to ease further to +4 in January.