Household spending in Japan increased 2.9% yoy in November 2025, defying market expectations for a 0.9% decline and reversing a 3.0% drop in the previous month. It marked the steepest rise since May, supported by higher winter-related purchases and easing inflation pressures on some essential goods. Spending bounced back across several major categories, led by food (0.9% vs -1.1% in October), furniture and household items (10.6% vs -0.3%), transportation and communication (20.4% vs -9.2%), and culture and recreation (2.2% vs -0.6%). At the same time, growth accelerated in clothing and footwear (7.5% vs 6.3%) and education (10.2% vs 7.6%). Elsewhere, declines moderated in housing (-1.8% vs -9.1%) and fuel, light, and water charges (-1.2% vs -3.2%), while spending on medical care softened slightly (2.6% vs 3.6%). On a monthly basis, personal spending jumped 6.2%, easily beating forecasts of 2.7% and swinging from a 3.5% contraction in October.