The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI stood at 51.5 in January 2026, unchanged from the preliminary reading and up from December’s final figure of 50. This marked the first expansion in factory activity since last June, with the pace of improvement the strongest since August 2022, supported by the first upturn in new orders since May 2023 and to the greatest extent in nearly four years. Foreign sales rose for the first time since February 2022. Output growth was the strongest since April 2022, while employment rose at the fastest rate in 40 months. Purchasing activity increased at the fastest pace in three-and-a-half years, while vendor performance deteriorated. On the price front, input costs accelerated to their highest level in nearly a year, driven by higher raw material and labor costs amid a weak yen. Output price inflation rose at the fastest pace in over a year and a half. Finally, business sentiment weakened to a three-month low amid concerns over inflation. source: S&P Global

Manufacturing PMI in Japan increased to 51.50 points in January from 50 points in December of 2025. Manufacturing PMI in Japan averaged 50.04 points from 2008 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 56.20 points in January of 2014 and a record low of 29.60 points in February of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Manufacturing PMI - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Manufacturing PMI in Japan increased to 51.50 points in January from 50 points in December of 2025. Manufacturing PMI in Japan is expected to be 51.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Manufacturing PMI is projected to trend around 52.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



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Japan Manufacturing PMI
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI is a monthly indicator of manufacturing sector performance, based on survey responses from a panel of approximately 400 manufacturers. Survey participants report changes compared to the previous month across several business variables. Each response is used to calculate a diffusion index ranging from 0 to 100, where a reading above 50 signals expansion, and below 50 indicates contraction. The headline figure, known as the Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI), is a weighted composite of five key components: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15%), and Stocks of Purchases (10%). To ensure consistency in directional movement, the Suppliers’ Delivery Times Index is inverted when incorporated into the overall PMI.

News Stream
Japan Manufacturing Growth Confirmed at Over 3-Year High
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI stood at 51.5 in January 2026, unchanged from the preliminary reading and up from December’s final figure of 50. This marked the first expansion in factory activity since last June, with the pace of improvement the strongest since August 2022, supported by the first upturn in new orders since May 2023 and to the greatest extent in nearly four years. Foreign sales rose for the first time since February 2022. Output growth was the strongest since April 2022, while employment rose at the fastest rate in 40 months. Purchasing activity increased at the fastest pace in three-and-a-half years, while vendor performance deteriorated. On the price front, input costs accelerated to their highest level in nearly a year, driven by higher raw material and labor costs amid a weak yen. Output price inflation rose at the fastest pace in over a year and a half. Finally, business sentiment weakened to a three-month low amid concerns over inflation.
2026-02-02
Japan Manufacturing Sector Returns to Growth
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI climbed to 51.5 in January 2026, above both the final reading of December 2025 and market forecasts of 50, preliminary estimates showed. This marked the first expansion in factory activity since last June, albeit a modest one, supported by the first upturn in sales since May 2023, with foreign sales increasing for the first time in nearly four years. Meanwhile, in response to greater capacity and the first upturn in outstanding business in three-and-a-half years, firms raised employment at the fastest pace since April 2019. On the price front, both input and output cost inflation accelerated. Looking ahead, business sentiment weakened amid uncertainty over global economic conditions.
2026-01-23
Japan Manufacturing PMI Revised Upward
The S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI was revised higher to 50.0 in December 2025 from a preliminary estimate of 49.7 and a final reading of 48.7 in November, indicating stable business conditions and ending five months of deterioration. The latest reading also marked its highest level since June, as output was broadly stable while new orders fell at the softest rate since May 2024. New export orders shrank at a slightly slower and modest pace. Employment rose marginally, the strongest increase in four months, supported by expectations of stronger customer demand in the months ahead. Purchasing activity declined at the slowest pace in six months, while vendor performance deteriorated modestly, amid reports of material shortages. On prices, input cost inflation accelerated to an eight-month high due to higher raw material and labour costs. As a result, selling prices rose solidly. Lastly, business sentiment weakened but remained above the survey’s long-run average.
2026-01-05