BOJ Survey: Japan Manufacturers See Sixth Straight Rise in Sentiment Amid AI Boom

The Bank of Japan's Quarterly survey has shown that business sentiment among large Japanese manufacturers has improved for a sixth consecutive quarter. The improvement is attributed to strong artificial intelligence-related demand, despite higher energy prices caused by tensions in the Middle East.

Rising costs have pressured Japan's economy, but robust global demand fueled by AI investment has supported external demand. This resilience indicates that the impact of rising energy prices on the economy may be limited.

The survey was released on October 1, 2026, and provides a positive outlook for the Japanese manufacturing sector.