The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for Japan increased 2.1 percent in March to 96.0 (2004 = 100), following a 1.2 percent increase in February, and a 0.8 percent increase in January.

At the same time, The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for Japan, a measure of current economic activity, increased 0.1 percent in March to 96.8 (2004 = 100), following a 0.2 percent increase in February, and a 0.3 percent increase in January.

The Conference Board LEI for Japan grew strongly in both March and February and as a result, its six-month growth has picked up sharply. At the same time, The Conference Board CEI for Japan increased moderately for the third consecutive month, and its six-month change has also improved from the second half of last year. Taken together, the recent gains in both the LEI and CEI suggest that the rate of economic expansion is likely to pick up in the coming months.