The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Japan decreased 0.2 percent in December to 103.2 (2010 = 100), following a 0.6 percent increase in November, and a 0.2 percent increase in October.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Japan, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.6 percent in December to 98.2 (2010 = 100), following a 0.2 percent decline in November, and no change in October.
The Conference Board LEI for Japan has been on an upward trend since August of 2014, with widespread strengths among its components and an improved six-month growth rate. At the same time, the Conference Board CEI for Japan has bounced back from November's decline and its growth is now positive compared to six months ago. Taken together, the recent behavior of both indexes suggests a pickup in economic activity is very likely in the months ahead.
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