Japanese banks' lending increased 2.4% year over year to ¥523.068 trillion in January after a 2.5% rise in December 2017, preliminary data from the Bank of Japan showed.
Excluding shinkin banks, or credit unions, lending was up 2.3% to ¥454.911 trillion following a 2.4% rise previously.
Lending from shinkin banks rose 2.5% in January after a 2.6% rise in the prior month.
As of Feb. 7, US$1 was equivalent to ¥109.51.
