Retail sales in Japan unexpectedly rose 0.5% year-on-year in September 2025, rebounding from a downwardly revised 0.9% decline in the previous month but falling short of market expectations for a 0.7% increase. Sales increased in machinery and equipment (5.9%), pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (5.9%), and other retail categories (4.4%). By contrast, declines were seen in fuel (-4.9%), non-store retailers (-4.2%), textiles, clothing, and personal goods (-4.1%), department stores (-2.2%), automobiles (-2.0%), and food and beverages (-0.3%). On a monthly basis, retail sales rose 0.3% in September, recovering from a downwardly revised 0.9% drop in August.