The International Monetary Fund just bumped up its growth forecast for Japan in 2026 to 0.7%, slightly better than the 0.6% they projected back in October. Interestingly, 2027's outlook stayed flat at 0.6% unchanged. These modest growth figures matter more than they seem—when major developed economies like Japan face subdued expansion, it typically signals broader economic caution. For crypto markets, this kind of sluggish growth often correlates with central banks maintaining higher rates longer or pivoting policy unexpectedly. Traders watching macro trends should keep tabs on how Japan's economic trajectory unfolds, since it's a bellwether for global monetary conditions and where capital might flow next.