📈 Japan’s government said the economy grew at a 0.2% annual pace in the final quarter of 2025, a slim rebound after earlier weakness that helped the country avoid slipping into recession 12.
For all of 2025, the economy expanded 1.1%—modest, but a sign that growth is still moving in the right direction overall 12.
Sources
- Japan narrowly avoids a technical recession in 2025, government report shows [euronews.com] (2026-02-16)
- Japan's economy barely grows in the last quarter [abcnews.go.com] (2026-02-16)
- Japan's economy barely grows in the last quarter as exports slow, with 2025 expansion just 1.1%. [reddit.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Recession yardstick: Coverage underscored how close Japan came to the commonly cited “technical recession” line—another reminder that small quarter-to-quarter changes can quickly reshape the headline story 1.
- Trade sensitivity: Reporting pointed to slowing exports as a near-term headwind, since swings in overseas demand can quickly ripple through factory output and corporate earnings 2.
- Government snapshot: In the official release, the quarter came across as thin but positive, reinforcing a picture of fragile growth rather than a sharp rebound 12.