Japan’s Cabinet Office reports 2.1% annualised GDP growth in first quarter
Official data from the Cabinet Office confirms real GDP rose by 2.1% on an annualised basis for January to March 2026, extending a two-quarter streak of growth.
Japan’s economy has recorded its second consecutive quarter of positive growth, according to data released by the Cabinet Office on 19 May 2026. The official statistics indicate that real gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 2.1% on an annualised basis in the first quarter, covering the period from January to March 2026.
The figure represents a comparison against the previous three-month period, with the growth rate adjusted for inflation to reflect real economic output. This marks the second successive quarter in which the Japanese economy has posted positive growth, signalling a continuation of the recent economic trajectory.
The Cabinet Office published the report on 19 May 2026, providing the latest assessment of the nation’s economic performance. The data confirms that the economy maintained its expansion through the early months of the year, building on the positive momentum established in the preceding quarter.
While the aggregate growth figure has been confirmed, the available data does not provide a breakdown of specific components driving the expansion, such as private consumption, government spending, or net exports. Furthermore, the report does not specify whether this 2.1% annualised rate is the initial estimate or a revised figure, nor does it detail the underlying quarter-on-quarter growth rate before annualisation.
The release of these figures by the Cabinet Office offers a clear snapshot of the macroeconomic landscape for the first quarter of 2026. The continuity of positive growth over two quarters suggests stability in the underlying economic activity, although detailed sectoral analysis remains unavailable in the current reporting.
