Two of Japan’s retail giants—Fast Retailing (Uniqlo’s parent company) and Seven & i (which runs 7-Eleven)—are about to drop their financial results, giving us a real-time pulse check on how Japanese consumers are spending. Their performance will set the mood for Asia’s broader earnings season, hinting at whether inflation, shifting shopping habits, or economic recovery are steering the ship.

Editor’s Note: These companies are like the canaries in Japan’s consumer coal mine—if Uniqlo’s sales are strong, it might signal confidence in discretionary spending, while Seven & i’s numbers could reveal how everyday essentials (like convenience store snacks) are holding up. For investors and economists, it’s a sneak peek at whether Japan’s economy is bouncing back or just treading water.