Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting and Ingestar Release Q1 2026 Results for the Inbound Purchase Intention Index

Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. (head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Masakazu Ikeda) and Ingestar Co., Ltd. (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Hee Chang Oh) have compiled the Q1 2026 results of the “Inbound Purchase Intention Index,” which measures the purchase intentions of foreign tourists visiting retail stores across Japan. Trends for Q1 2026 were as follows: the current level DI fell slightly by 4 points from the previous quarter to 55. The current assessment DI declined by 7 points from the previous quarter to 50. The outlook assessment DI fell slightly by 4 points from the previous quarter to 55. Note: In this index, calculated values for periods in which the average number of respondents is below 50 are treated as reference values. The Inbound Purchase Intention Index was developed to accurately and quickly capture purchasing trends generated by foreign tourists visiting Japan, and to serve as reference material for management decisions, economic assessments, and related fields. The survey is conducted twice a month, at mid-month and month-end, with questionnaires collected over the following week. The survey targets sales staff dispatched by Ingestar to retail stores nationwide, and covers all products handled by each store. To sensitively detect trends in purchase intentions among foreign visitors to Japan, respondents are store staff responsible for serving foreign visitors at the sales floor. The main survey items are: current assessment of the level of purchase intention among foreign tourists visiting Japan; current assessment of the direction of purchase intention compared with the previous month and the reasons for that assessment; and outlook assessment of the future direction of purchase intention and the reasons for that assessment. Responses collected from survey participants are scored and presented as an index ranging from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100 points, known as a Diffusion Index (DI). A reading above 50 indicates that purchase intention is judged to be strong, while a reading below 50 indicates that purchase intention is judged to be weak. The original series for each index, unrounded values for quarterly and monthly series, values by region (Kanto, Kansai), language used (English, Chinese), and product category, as well as respondent comments for each directional assessment, are planned to be sold separately. For details, please contact the inquiry desk listed at the end of the release. Product categories consist of 10 categories plus “Other”; please inquire for details. Ingestar Co., Ltd. supports clients’ business success by removing language barriers in business settings around the world, particularly in Asia, and by communicating information accurately, quickly, and reliably. In recent years, the company has operated sales promotions and various research activities for foreign visitors to Japan at major international airports such as Narita, Haneda, and Kansai. It also provides a wide range of services tailored to client needs for government agencies and local governments, including call centers for foreign residents, interpreter dispatch, foreign-language training, and document translation. Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. (MURC) is the think tank and consulting firm of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). Based in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, MURC engages in a broad range of businesses, including policy research and recommendations for national and local governments, consulting services for private companies, management information services, corporate human resource development support, and macroeconomic research and recommendations. Inquiry regarding survey data: Tourism Strategy Office, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. E-mail: swift@murc.jp