Japan's Personal Spending Unexpectedly Advanced In November, Nikkei 225 Jumped 1.6%

Akira Ito
09 Jan, 2026
Tokyo

Stock market indexes in Tokyo extended weekly gains amid hopes that trade tensions between Japan and China are likely to ease. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 1.6%, and the broader Topix advanced 0.9% after China clarified that the latest export control on dual-use goods to Japan would not apply for civilian purposes. 

China's easing of the latest trade sanctions combined with the surprise increase in household spending in November contributed to the market advance on Friday. 

 

Japan's Household Spending Advanced In November

Japan's household spending in November unexpectedly rose despite higher food prices, the Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications reported Friday.

Households with two or more people spent an average of 314,242 yen, or $2,000, and rose 2.9% after adjusting for inflation. 

Real household spending increased 2.9% from a year ago, the first advance in two months and the largest increase since May, driven by winter purchases despite higher food prices. 

Food spending, which accounts for 30% of household expenditure, inched higher 0.9%; furniture and home appliance spending advanced 10.6%; transportation and communications soared 20.4%; and utility outlays eased 1.2%. 

Economists closely watch household spending data, as private consumption accounts for more than half of Japan's gross domestic product.  

Household income with at least two individuals inched lower 2.2% after adjusting for inflation to 519,304 yen, the ministry added. 

 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 1.6% to 51,936.21, and the broader Topix Index gained 0.9% to 3,514.41. 

For the week, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 0.7%, and the Topix Index increased 1.4%. 

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. soared 10.6% to ¥62,750.0 after the company raised its full-year earnings outlook. 

Revenue in the quarter ending in November rose 14.8% to 1.03 trillion yen, profit attributable to shareholders increased 11.7% to 147.4 billion yen, and diluted earnings per share jumped to 479.89 from 429.51 a year ago.