A monthly survey of about 2,000 people whose jobs put them in touch with consumers and firms: taxi drivers, shop staff, restaurant managers, recruiters. The diffusion index for current conditions is 50 when as many see things improving as worsening.
Threshold source: Cabinet Office: 50 is neutral; readings below 45 have accompanied every Japanese downturn since 2000. How thresholds are chosen
A sentiment survey with a short lead. The publisher's downloadable table holds only the latest six months, so the history here accumulates from September 2026.