Consumption in Japan expected to slowly recover in 2025

Luxury and leisure sales are rising, but inflation will still dent spending on daily goods

20241224 Japan Consumption Ginza Matsuya

Shoppers and tourists pass in front of Matsuya Ginza in Tokyo on Dec. 22. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)

AKANE OKUTSU, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's private consumption is showing signs of growth and is projected to rise through 2025 to get back to pre-COVID levels. But inflation will polarize spending trends as many consumers opt to treat themselves with the occasional luxury item, but continue to be thrifty over everyday purchases.

According to December's ESP Forecast -- a monthly survey of economists by the Japan Center for Economic Research -- economists predict for 2025 that there will be a continuous quarterly rise in private consumption, at a slow but steady rate ranging from 0.24% to 0.28%.

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