The Eco Watchers Survey Current is a sentiment indicator based on a survey of Japanese workers in consumer-facing industries such as taxi drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant owners. These individuals are considered 'watchers' because of their proximity to real-time consumer activity and economic trends. A reading above 50.0 indicates that more respondents see conditions improving rather than worsening, providing a snapshot of the current economic climate.
The index is calculated by assigning weights to survey responses: 'Better' (1.0), 'Slightly Better' (0.75), 'Unchanged' (0.5), 'Slightly Worse' (0.25), and 'Worse' (0). The results are then aggregated into a diffusion index.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2026 | 45.70 | 44.40 | +1.30 |
| Jul 8, 2026 | 44.00 | 44.60 | -0.60 |
| Jun 8, 2026 | 43.60 | 41.30 | +2.30 |
| May 13, 2026 | 40.80 | 41.60 | -0.80 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | 47.60 | 49.10 | -1.50 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 48.60 | 48.80 | -0.20 |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 48.70 | 49.50 | -0.80 |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 49.10 | 47.60 | +1.50 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | 47.10 | 47.00 | +0.10 |
| Sep 8, 2025 | 46.70 | 45.70 | +1.00 |
| Aug 8, 2025 | 45.20 | 45.50 | -0.30 |
| Jul 8, 2025 | 45.00 | 45.20 | -0.20 |
| Jun 9, 2025 | 44.40 | 43.90 | +0.50 |
| May 12, 2025 | 42.60 | 44.70 | -2.10 |
| Apr 8, 2025 | 45.10 | 45.30 | -0.20 |
| Mar 10, 2025 | 45.60 | 48.50 | -2.90 |
| Feb 10, 2025 | 48.60 | 49.70 | -1.10 |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 49.90 | 49.60 | +0.30 |
| Dec 9, 2024 | 49.40 | 47.30 | +2.10 |
| Nov 11, 2024 | 47.50 | 47.20 | +0.30 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | 47.80 | 49.50 | -1.70 |
| Sep 9, 2024 | 49.00 | 47.60 | +1.40 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | 47.50 | 47.80 | -0.30 |
| Jul 8, 2024 | 47.00 | 46.30 | +0.70 |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 45.70 | 48.90 | -3.20 |
| May 10, 2024 | 47.40 | 50.40 | -3.00 |
| Apr 8, 2024 | 49.80 | 51.50 | -1.70 |
| Mar 8, 2024 | 51.30 | 50.60 | +0.70 |
| Feb 8, 2024 | 50.20 | 51.00 | -0.80 |
| Jan 12, 2024 | 50.70 | 49.90 | +0.80 |
| Dec 8, 2023 | 49.50 | 49.80 | -0.30 |
| Nov 9, 2023 | 49.50 | 50.10 | -0.60 |
| Oct 10, 2023 | 49.90 | 54.00 | -4.10 |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 53.60 | 54.40 | -0.80 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 54.40 | 54.50 | -0.10 |
| Jul 10, 2023 | 53.60 | 55.00 | -1.40 |
| Jun 8, 2023 | 55.00 | 55.10 | -0.10 |
| May 11, 2023 | 54.60 | 54.10 | +0.50 |
| Apr 10, 2023 | 53.30 | 52.90 | +0.40 |
| Mar 8, 2023 | 52.00 | 49.10 | +2.90 |
| Feb 8, 2023 | 48.50 | 48.20 | +0.30 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 47.90 | 48.60 | -0.70 |
| Dec 8, 2022 | 48.10 | 50.70 | -2.60 |
| Nov 9, 2022 | 49.90 | 47.20 | +2.70 |
| Oct 11, 2022 | 48.40 | 46.40 | +2.00 |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 45.50 | 43.20 | +2.30 |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 43.80 | 53.00 | -9.20 |
| Jul 8, 2022 | 52.90 | 52.00 | +0.90 |
| Jun 8, 2022 | 54.00 | 50.80 | +3.20 |
| May 12, 2022 | 50.40 | — | — |
