The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Japan was unchanged in February, remaining at 100.8 (2004 = 100), following a 0.3 percent decline in January and a 0.2 percent decline in December.
At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for Japan, a measure of current economic activity, declined 0.1 percent in February to 96.9 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in January, and a 0.1 percent increase in December.
The leading economic index for Japan did not improve in February and its six-month growth rate has slowed considerably compared to early 2013. Meanwhile, the CEI fell slightly, but its six-month change remains in positive territory. Taken together, the slower growth in the LEI paired with modest growth in the CEI suggests that the current expansion in economic activity is unlikely to accelerate in the near term.
