{
  "id": 7910380,
  "title": "Inflation Makes Japan Economic Expansion Hard to Feel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/inflation-makes-japan-economic-expansion-hard-to-feel",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-17T00:40:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nippon.com News",
    "slug": "nippon-com-news",
    "url": "https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026091601057/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's economic expansion, lasting 74 months through July, may have surpassed the Izanami boom from 2002 to 2008, marking the longest period of growth since World War II. Despite nominal GDP growth and record corporate profits fueled by a depreciating yen, inflation has made it tough for households to sense the economic surge. Inflation-adjusted real wages have remained stagnant, dampening the apparent prosperity. According to government data released on September 7, the index of coincident economic indicators has continued to improve. Whether this expansionary phase will be confirmed as the longest since the war will be determined by an expert panel within the government agency responsible for identifying economic peaks and troughs.",
  "summary": "Tokyo, Sept. 17 (Jiji Press)--The ongoing economic expansion in Japan has lasted 74 months through July based on recent preliminary government statistics, highly likely surpassing the \"Izanami\" boom from February 2002 to February 2008, the longest period of growth since the end of World War II. During the current expansionary phase, the country's nominal gross domestic product increased ami...",
  "key_points": [
    "Japan's economic expansion may have surpassed 74 months, longest since WWII.",
    "Inflation dampens households' perception of economic growth.",
    "Inflation-adjusted real wages stagnant, despite nominal GDP growth."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Stagnant real wages and inflation have muted the economic growth's impact on households, making it hard for them to feel the effects of Japan's prolonged expansion.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
        "title": "Inflation Makes Japan Economic Expansion Hard to Feel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/inflation-makes-japan-economic-expansion-hard-to-feel-7924483",
        "published": "2026-09-17T01:41:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}