The OECD just bumped up its Japan forecast, and the numbers tell an interesting story. They're now calling for 1.3% growth in 2025—a modest upgrade from their previous 1.1% estimate. But here's where it gets curious: 2026 and 2027 are both pegged at 0.9%, with 2026 seeing a notable revision upward from the earlier 0.5% projection.

What's driving this shift? The uptick suggests growing confidence in Japan's near-term economic momentum, possibly fueled by policy adjustments or external demand recovery. However, the plateauing growth rate in the outer years hints at structural headwinds that won't disappear overnight.

For crypto markets, Japan's economic trajectory matters more than many realize. A stronger yen could pressure risk assets short-term, while sustained moderate growth might support institutional adoption of digital assets in one of Asia's most regulated markets.