Japan’s bank lending grew by 5.3% year-on-year in September 2026, matching the downwardly revised figure for August and falling short of market expectations for a 5.5% rise. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 681.97 trillion. Lending at major and regional banks rose 5.7%, easing from 5.8% in August, with major-bank lending growth slowing to 7.7% from 7.8%, while regional-bank lending growth stood at 4.1%. Within regional banks, lending growth held steady at 4.5% for regional banks I, while growth at regional banks II eased to 1.9% from 2.0%. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks held steady at 2.0%, remaining at its strongest growth rate since early 2023. Foreign-bank lending growth slowed to 14.5% from 25.6% in August. source: Bank of Japan

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.30 percent in September of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan averaged 0.92 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 6.70 percent in August of 2020 and a record low of -5.00 percent in October of 2002. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Bank Lending - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Bank Lending - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

The value of loans in Japan increased 5.30 percent in September of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Loan Growth in Japan is expected to be 5.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Bank Lending is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2027 and 5.10 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-07 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Aug 5.4% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5%
2026-10-12 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Sep 5.3% 5.3% 5.5% 5.4%
2026-11-09 11:50 PM
Bank Lending YoY
Oct 5.3% 5.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 625025.30 644662.00 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 0.43 0.40 percent Sep 2026
Interest Rate 1.25 1.00 percent Sep 2026
Bank Lending YoY 5.30 5.30 percent Sep 2026
Loans to Private Sector 601746.60 599907.50 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Money Supply M0 109395.70 109928.00 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Money Supply M1 1081889.60 1087865.30 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Money Supply M2 1295635.10 1296453.90 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Money Supply M3 1638259.90 1639738.30 JPY Billion Sep 2026
Purchases of Government Bonds 2317.20 2321.20 JPY Billion Sep 2026


Japan Bank Lending
In Japan, bank lending refers to the year-on-year change of all outstanding loans and discounts with banks and shinkin banks. Lending increases with increased business confidence and investment and it is an important indicator for the Japanese economy because of the weakness that has plagued the Japanese banking sector.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.30 5.30 6.70 -5.00 2001 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
Japan Bank Lending Growth Below Forecasts
Japan’s bank lending grew by 5.3% year-on-year in September 2026, matching the downwardly revised figure for August and falling short of market expectations for a 5.5% rise. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 681.97 trillion. Lending at major and regional banks rose 5.7%, easing from 5.8% in August, with major-bank lending growth slowing to 7.7% from 7.8%, while regional-bank lending growth stood at 4.1%. Within regional banks, lending growth held steady at 4.5% for regional banks I, while growth at regional banks II eased to 1.9% from 2.0%. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks held steady at 2.0%, remaining at its strongest growth rate since early 2023. Foreign-bank lending growth slowed to 14.5% from 25.6% in August.
2026-10-12
Japan Bank Lending Growth Holds Steady in August
Japan’s bank lending rose by 5.4% year-on-year in August 2026, falling short of market expectations for a 5.5% gain and unchanged from the previous month. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 680.3 trillion, up from JPY 679.2 trillion in July. Lending at major and regional banks increased 5.8%, easing from 5.9% in July, with major-bank lending growth steady at 7.9%, while regional-bank lending slowed to 4.1% from 4.2%. Within regional banks, lending growth accelerated to 4.6% for regional banks I from 4.5%, while growth at regional banks II eased to 2.0% from 2.4%. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks accelerated to 2.0% from 1.9%, marking its strongest growth since early 2023. Foreign-bank lending growth also remained strong at 25.6%, though easing from 28.3% in July.
2026-09-08
Japan Bank Lending Growth Eases in July
Japan’s bank lending rose 5.4% year-on-year in July 2026, slowing from a five-year high of 5.7% increase in the previous month. Outstanding loans at major, regional, and shinkin banks averaged JPY 679.2 trillion, up from JPY 679.0 trillion in June. Lending at major and regional banks increased 5.9%, easing from 6.2% in June, with major-bank lending growth slowing to 8.0% from 8.6%, while regional-bank lending remained unchanged at 4.2%. Within regional banks, lending growth was steady at 4.6% for regional banks I and 2.4% for regional banks II. Meanwhile, lending by shinkin banks accelerated to 1.9% from 1.7%, marking the strongest growth since early 2023.
2026-08-10