2026.02.2623:50:00UTC+00Japan’s Industrial Output Rebounds Sharply in January, Rising 2.2% MoM

Japan’s industrial production surged in January 2026, climbing 2.2% month-over-month, according to data updated on 26 February 2026. The rebound follows a marginal 0.1% decline in December 2025, highlighting a notable turnaround in manufacturing activity at the start of the year.

The month-over-month comparison shows that while output contracted slightly in December, it recovered strongly in January as production levels increased versus the previous month. The indicator measures how industrial production in January 2026 changed relative to December 2025, while the prior reading reflected the change in December 2025 compared with November 2025.

The sharp improvement from -0.1% to 2.2% suggests that Japan’s industrial sector may be regaining momentum after a softer end to 2025, potentially providing support to broader economic performance if the trend persists in the coming months.