Bank lending and credit · Japan
Japan Bank Lending YoY
The Japan Bank Lending YoY measures how much new credit banks extend, or how fast their loans or deposits grow, in Japan.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- JPY · Japanese yen
- Central bank
- The Bank of Japan
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 12 October 2026, came in at 5.3%, below the consensus of 5.5%, unchanged from 5.3% the time before (revised).
A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the Japanese yen tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 4.1% to 5.7%, averaging 5.0%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Oct 2026 | SEP | 5.3% | 5.5% | 5.3% ® |
| 7 Sep 2026 | AUG | 5.4% | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| 9 Aug 2026 | JUL | 5.4% | 5.7% | 5.7% |
| 7 Jul 2026 | JUN | 5.7% | 5.8% | 5.7% |
| 7 Jun 2026 | MAY | 5.7% | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| 12 May 2026 | APR | 5.4% | 4.6% | 4.8% |
| 9 Apr 2026 | MAR | 4.8% | 4.4% | 4.5% |
| 8 Mar 2026 | FEB | 4.5% | 4.4% | 4.4% ® |
| 8 Feb 2026 | JAN | 4.5% | 4.5% | 4.4% |
| 12 Jan 2026 | DEC | 4.4% | 4.1% | 4.1% ® |
| 7 Dec 2025 | NOV | 4.2% | 4% | 4.1% |
| 10 Nov 2025 | OCT | 4.1% | 3.8% | 3.8% |
Why it matters
Credit is the fuel of spending and investment. Strong lending growth means households and companies are confident and that monetary policy is passing through; a credit slowdown often precedes a slowdown in activity. In China, new loans and total social financing are among the most watched signs of stimulus.
How it is calculated
Banks report the outstanding stock of loans to the central bank; the release shows the change over the month or the growth from a year earlier.
What changes mean
- Rising credit growth supports the growth outlook and the Japanese yen.
- A sudden drop in lending can signal tighter bank standards or weak demand.
- Compare with interest rates: credit should slow after hikes; if it does not, more tightening may follow.
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the Japanese yen and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the Japanese yen tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
Credit cycles were described by economists such as Hyman Minsky; after the 2008 financial crisis regulators began to track credit growth closely as an early warning of booms and busts.
Questions
What is the Japan Bank Lending YoY?
The Japan Bank Lending YoY measures how much new credit banks extend, or how fast their loans or deposits grow, in Japan.
What was the latest Japan Bank Lending YoY?
5.3% for SEP, published on 12 October 2026 (consensus 5.5%, previous 5.3%).
When is the next Japan Bank Lending YoY?
On Monday 9 November 2026 at 23:50 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.