-- Japanese household sentiment improved modestly in March but remained negative, while inflation perceptions stayed elevated, according to a survey by the Bank of Japan released Monday.
The diffusion index for current economic conditions rose to minus 45.5 from minus 50.4 in December 2025, as fewer respondents said conditions had worsened. The outlook index for the year ahead was little changed at minus 18.5.
Views on household finances also improved slightly, though more than half of respondents still said their situation had deteriorated from a year earlier.
Price perceptions remained high, with about 95% of households saying prices had risen over the past year. Looking ahead, more than 80% expect prices to increase over the next 12 months, with a majority anticipating moderate gains.
Public awareness of the BOJ's 2% inflation target remained limited, with nearly half of respondents saying they had never heard of it. Confidence in the central bank improved, with those expressing confidence or some confidence rising to over 50%.