16.08.202623:50:00UTC+00Japan’s Q2 2026 GDP Growth Cools to 0.3% Q/Q, Easing From 0.5% in Q1

Japan’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product expanding by 0.3% quarter-over-quarter, down from a 0.5% increase in the first quarter of 2026. The latest figure, updated on 16 August 2026, indicates a moderation in the pace of expansion compared with the start of the year.

On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the “actual” Q2 reading reflects how much the economy grew compared with Q1 2026, while the “previous” figure captures the change in Q1 relative to the final quarter of the prior period. The step down from 0.5% to 0.3% suggests that while Japan’s economy continues to grow, momentum has softened as the year progresses.

Investors and policymakers will be watching subsequent data to see whether this slowdown marks the start of a more persistent cooling trend or a temporary pause following stronger growth at the beginning of 2026.