Retail sales in Japan increased 5.3% year-on-year in May 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 2.8% rise in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 3.2% gain. It was the third consecutive month of growth and the fastest pace since November 2023, supported by strong wage gains and government measures, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales grew in automobiles (23.7%), machinery and equipment (14.5%), other retail goods (8.9%), department stores (6.9%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), and food and beverages (2.4%). In contrast, sales fell in non-store retail (-4.2%), fuel (-2.6%), and clothing and personal goods (-0.7%). On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 1.9%, easing from an upwardly revised 2.1% increase in April, which was the fastest increase in four months. source: Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry (METI)

Retail Sales in Japan increased 5.30 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Japan averaged 4.18 percent from 1971 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 36.50 percent in January of 1979 and a record low of -14.30 percent in March of 1998. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Retail Sales YoY - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Retail Sales - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

Retail Sales in Japan increased 5.30 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Retail Sales YoY in Japan is expected to be 2.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Retail Sales is projected to trend around 1.80 percent in 2027 and 2.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-28 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
Apr 2.1% 1.4% 1.3% 1.0%
2026-06-28 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
May 5.3% 2.8% 3.2% 2.5%
2026-07-30 11:50 PM
Retail Sales YoY
Jun 5.3% 2.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 3.05 3.00 percent May 2026
Consumer Confidence 33.80 33.60 points Jun 2026
Consumer Credit 62267.10 60712.00 JPY Billion Mar 2026
GDP Private Consumption 310270.50 309199.80 JPY Billion Mar 2026
Disposable Personal Income 493.68 453.45 JPY Thousand Apr 2026
Gasoline Prices 1.05 1.06 USD/Liter Jun 2026
Household Spending YoY -0.50 -2.90 percent Apr 2026
Household Spending MoM 1.60 -1.30 percent Apr 2026
Households Debt to GDP 61.10 61.10 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Personal Savings 3.90 0.00 percent Dec 2025
Retail Sales MoM 1.90 2.10 percent May 2026
Retail Sales YoY 5.30 2.80 percent May 2026


Japan Retail Sales
In Japan, the year-over-year change in Retail sales compares the aggregated sales of retail goods and services during a certain month to the same month a year ago.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.30 2.80 36.50 -14.30 1971 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
Japan Retail Sales Growth Highest Since 2023
Retail sales in Japan increased 5.3% year-on-year in May 2026, accelerating from an upwardly revised 2.8% rise in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 3.2% gain. It was the third consecutive month of growth and the fastest pace since November 2023, supported by strong wage gains and government measures, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales grew in automobiles (23.7%), machinery and equipment (14.5%), other retail goods (8.9%), department stores (6.9%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), and food and beverages (2.4%). In contrast, sales fell in non-store retail (-4.2%), fuel (-2.6%), and clothing and personal goods (-0.7%). On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 1.9%, easing from an upwardly revised 2.1% increase in April, which was the fastest increase in four months.
2026-06-28
Japan Retail Sales Growth Hits 1-Year Peak
Retail sales in Japan grew 2.1% year-on-year in April 2026, following a downwardly revised 1.4% rise in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 1.3% gain. It was the fastest increase since April 2025, supported by government efforts, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales increased in automobiles (15.4%), machinery and equipment (5.5%), other retail goods (4.3%), department stores (3.3%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), and food and beverages (0.2%). Conversely, sales declined in fuel (-9.0%), non-store retail (-2.0%), and clothing and personal goods (-1.6%). On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 1.3%, following a downwardly revised 1.0% gain in March, and marking the fastest increase in three months..
2026-05-28
Japan Retail Sales Rise More than Expected
Retail sales in Japan increased 1.7% yoy in March 2026, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.1% drop in the previous month and surpassing market expectations for a 0.8% gain. The latest result highlighted the government's efforts, including a stimulus package aimed at boosting consumption and easing price pressures. Sales increased in automobiles (9.0%), other retail goods (5.2%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (2.8%), department stores (1.4%), machinery and equipment (0.7%), and food and beverages (0.4%). In contrast, sales declined in fuel (-4.1%), clothing and personal goods (-3.3%), and non-store retail (-2.5%). On a monthly basis, retail trade grew 1.3%, rebounding from a 2.0% fall in February.
2026-04-29